CHOOSE YOUR SILVER SHADOW

Silver Shadow supersedes Silver Cloud in 1965, with the badge-engineered Bentley christened the T-series. The 6230cc V8 is carried over, but monocoque construction is a radical advance.

Two-door saloons are introduced in 1966, built by James Young and Mulliner Park Ward. The latter also builds a convertible in 1967.

GM400 three-speed automatic transmission is standardised in 1968, a year before long wheelbase models are debuted. Two years after this the V8’s capacity rises to 6750cc.

The MPW convertibles receive a few tweaks and are renamed Corniches for 1971. There’s a change to the ‘standard’ saloons in 1974 when wider tyres lead to flared wheelarches.

Series 2 cars come out during 1977, with plastic-faced bumpers, a front spoiler, new facia and split-level air conditioning. They persist until 1980, although the Corniche and its Bentley Continental sister continue to 1995.