BENTLEY T SERIES (1965-80)
PERUSE THOSE PANELS
Among the key rot-spots are the front wings where they meet the sill, the front and rear valances, the inner rear wings, and the lower edges of the doors and boot lid. The rear wheelarches are vulnerable too, and bubbling here usually means worse horrors beneath, so have a good feel around the inner lip. The sills need checking as complete replacement can cost an eyewatering £4000 per side. It’s also worth looking for galvanic corrosion where the aluminium panels meet the steel monocoque – if it looks bad, it’s your cue to walk away.
CHECK THE RIDE OUT
The suspension is a hefty set-up comprising double wishbones and coil springs up front and semitrailing arms at the rear, with a complex system of hydraulics. A specialist inspection is advisable. Leaks from rusty pipework are the main concern, but check also for worn joints and bushes, and for corrosion around the subframe mounting points and rear spring pans. A car that’s sagging at the rear or sitting unevenly is a worry, as a complete overhaul costs thousands.
CHECK THE CAR’S HISTORY
The carb-fed V8 (a 6.2-litre unit for the T1 and 6.75-litre for the T2) lasts well, but history matters, as regular oil changes are required to prevent excessive camshaft wear and sludging of the hydraulic tappets, and correct anti-freeze levels are vital. Annual coolant changes are recommended as internal corrosion leads to sediment and serious issues with the cylinder liners, requiring a rebuild at huge cost. Check too for head gasket failure, or cracked exhaust manifolds.
LOOK FOR DODGY BRAKES
Equally complex is the braking system. Specialist tools are required for many jobs and full refurbishment can approach £5000, so look for evidence of recent work. Fluid leaks and seized calipers need watching for, along with corrosion of the brake pipes where they pass over the rear subframe. There are more than 10 flexible hoses that need checking and replacing periodically, a fiddly and labour intensive job. And make sure the two brake warning lights on the dash illuminate and extinguish correctly – be suspicious if not.