The Bentley
T2 somehow gave off that the company had been vague whether or not Bentley
should keep an individual identity. Support for the marque inside the company
had deterioted over recent years. During the prototype stadium of the
Silver Shadow the parallel development of a separate new
Bentley model had been aborted. Only early models of the Bentley T1 had shown
engine valve covers embossed with the inscription "Bentley" - later models
showed the name "Rolls-Royce" on the valve covers. And the Bentley T2 went one
step further because the instruments on the facia carried the Rolls-Royce logo
of entwined RR instead of the Bentley-B.
It was one of the few cars from Rolls-Royce which were not considered for export
to the USA. Sales of Bentley in that market had been microscopic anyway and
Rolls-Royce saved the outlay to introduce the Bentley T2 there (although several
new Bentley T2 were reported later to have found their way to the USA) . But
resurgence was just around the corner and in retrospective - having experienced
the brilliant success of the Bentley marque during the 80s - it is open to
speculation if the Bentley T2's only problem has been poor marketing by
Rolls-Royce?
Technical Data:
8 cylinder 90 degree V-configuration, aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder block with cast
iron wet cylinder liners; bore x stroke 104.14 x 99.06 mm (4.1 x 3.9 in), capacity 6,750
cc; aluminium alloy cylinder heads, twin SU carburettors; 3-speed automatic gearbox;
hypoid bevel final drive; independent suspension with coil springs front and rear,
hydraulic self-levelling height control rear; ventilated disc brakes front, plain discs
rear; wheelbase 3,048 mm (120 in), Bentley T2 long wheelbase 3,149.6 mm (124 in); tyre
size 235/70HR15

Bentley T2 long wheelbase, 1979, #LBH37309. Those who know recognise a long wheelbase
version by the wheel trim because on this model that from the Corniche was fitted.