Bentley T1 Chassis Info

The first letter of the chassis denotes body styling; the second differentiates Rolls-Royce or Bentley, and the third whether the car is Left or Right hand drive or American model years. The 5 remaining digits represent the series number - more information is shown below.

Depending on year of manufacture and country the chassis number can be found on:
1) the engine bay bracket next to the right-hand side road spring pot;
2) the lower left-hand side windscreen
3) the engine compartment bulkhead
4) either front door pillars.

Back to T1 Parts

Body Styling

S	Standard Saloon (Standard Sedan in the USA)
C	Two-door saloon (Two-door Coupe in the USA)
D	Convertible
L	Long Wheelbase Saloon (LWB Formal Sedan in the USA)
P	Phantom VI
J	Camargue

Make

R	Rolls-Royce
B	Bentley

Right / Left Hand Drive & US model years

H	Left Hand Drive (not North American cars 1972 on)
X	Right Hand Drive
A	North America 1972 model year
B	North America 1973 model year
C	North America 1974 model year
D	North America 1975 model year
E	North America 1976 model year
F	North America 1977 model year
G	North America 1978 model year
K	North America 1979 model year
L	North America 1980 model year

In addition, a letter 'C' is used as suffix letter after the car serial number to indicate that the vehicle has been produced to the 1980 Californian specification.

All coach built cars were denoted by the prefix C up to car serial number CRX 6646. Convertible cars produced after CRX 6646 however, are denoted by the prefix D (e.g DRX), while 2-door saloons continue to be denoted by the prefix C.

Release Date	Modification Detail	introduced at Chassis:
September 1965	Harmonic damper to crossmember	1060
	5/8 inches diameter heating system	1365
	Lighter brake pedal	1467
	Steel accumulator casing	1740
August 1966	Chilled Iron tappets	2499
	Stiffened tappet cover	2639
	Starter disconnected from split parking	2641
	88°C thermostat	2832
	Drain hole In starter motor	2951
October 1967	Saginaw steering pump all cars	3000
	Ankle freezer deleted from front passenger compartment	3034
	Breather on gearbox actuator	3253
	New boot lid seal	3369
	Additional dram holes in body	3508
	Fixed quarter light	3552
	Reverse gear lock relay deleted	3969
April 1968	Brake linkage pivot pins	4084
	Simpler sealing in rear rams	4129
	Stiffened bell housing	4316
	Thicker battery cable	4386
	Revised handbrake	4469
	All cars - GM 400 transmission	4483
	No cars produced after 4874 until 5001	4874
	New alternator fan	5192
	New locking strip, side steering levers	5512
	No cars produced after 5603 until 6000	5603
March 1968	Viscous coupling on fan	6300
	New windscreen washer	6300
	Higher steering ratio	6429
	Hub yoke nut with higher tightening torque	6545
	Inhibitor tablets in fuel tank	6725
	Flat ledge rim road wheels	6771
	All bodies to FSS spec.	6792
	Bleed valve in ‘G’ valve	6996
August 1969	Strengthened accumulator clamping ring	7152
	Longer bonnet locating dowels	7209
	Split pin in steering box	7318
	Swing needle carburetters	7325
	Front height control deleted	7404
	A.C.U. on all cars, C.A.V. alternator & Permanent magnet wiper motor	7500
	Steel fan cowl	7532
	Modified battery cover	7600
	Stainless exhaust	7620
	Strengthened handbrake caliper	7650
	Tinterne petrol tanks	7694
	15 lb sq/tn relief header tank	7824
	Hot idle compensator	7850
	Modified hazard warning swatch	7904
	Rigid pump to accumulator pipes	7917
December 1969	Modified indicator switch	8000
	Repositioned sill control rods	8101
	Hardened seat in accumulator	8200
	Smaller steering wheel	8222
	Flexible hose with stainless cover	8254
	Woodville diaphragm In accumulator	8510
	Ankle freezer deleted, right-hand	8532
	Asymmetric alternator fan	8569
	Increased clearance seat to console	8601
	6 3/4 litre engine	8742
	No cars produced after 8861 until 9001	8861
June 1970	Additional radio suppression	9001
	Spigotted road heels	9113
	Wick In battery box	9131
	European suspension - all but USA	9200
	Anti-roll bar on coachbuilt	9240
	New brake calipers	9380
	Increased height control sensitivity	9393
	Whites speedometer drive	9400
	New windscreen wiper box	9577
	Steel distribution valve	9584
	New front seat mechanism	9630
	Centralised door locking	9658
	New O-ring in brake pump	9678
	All coachbuilt cars to Corniche specification	9770
	Trico windscreen washer	9898
	New camshaft	9900
	Strengthened torque arm	9912
	New petrol pipe clip	9936
January 1971	Raw edge fan belts	10000
	Terylene fan belts	10245
	Speed control optional	10322
	Window in battery box	10346
	Wash-wipe system	10400
	Ventilated front wheel discs	10500
	Improved VHF suppression	10550
	Balanced rotor and vented distributor	10600
	Triangle levers to clear exhaust	10851
June 1971	Green brake fluid	11130
	Lighter brake pedal (USA & Canada)	11155
	Modified distributor	11173
	1.2:1 fan (Improved hoses)	11200
	Long stroke dampers	11466
	17 5:1 steering ratio	11501
	Mk V speedometer head	11600
	Aluminium door lock roller	11690
	Ashtray in top roll	11792
	Larger tappets housing brake pump	11800
	1971 package deal & New switchbox casing	11882
	Press-In wheel studs	11900
	Modified height control valve	11970
November 1971	Improved rear seat	12000
	Dagenite white top battery (except USA)	12380
	Kangol seat belts (USA only)	12428
	New door striker plate	12481
	Rigid pipes 0.375 in. O.D pump to accumulator	12490
	Tudor windscreen washer bottle	12566
	New piston ring material	12657
	New windscreen wiper and panel switch	12720
	Rofan alternator belt	12728
	Corniche compliant front suspension	12734
	Improved controls labelling	12760
	Nylon ball in accumulator deleted	12800
	Modified expansion tank	12858
	Simplified radio mounting	12888
February 1972	Rofan fan belts	13000
	New distributor advance for full emission control engines	13051
	Phillips double cone speaker	13178
	Spherical faced cam follower	13326
	Compliant front suspension (all cars)	13485
	1972 electrical package deal	13754
	Lighter brake pedal (Comiche)	13861
	Weakener cut-off switch in choke hsg.	13880
	New rear calipers (export Corniche)	13922
September 1972	Stale air outlet	14087
	Improved speed control connection	14122
	Silastic seal on valve collets	14198
	New heater tap hoses	14472
	Smaller air silencer	14543
	Introduction of Camargue	14674
	Steering column heat shield	14746
	Metric calipers M170 pads (coachbuilt)	14889
	1973 Detox regulations	14954
	Modified hydraulic fluid reservoir	14980
February 1973	Larger brake ‘On’ stop (American saloon)	15059
	Actuator vent into heater duct	15302
	Improved door hanging (Corniche)	15487
	1/4 in. UNF accelerator pedal clamping bolt	15630
	Castrol RR363 hydraulic fluid	15638
	Vented front discs M170 pads (LWB)	15815
	Lighter brake pedal	15854
	H/Lamp wash/wipe (Swedish cars)	15855
	Increased silent padding (Saloon OTA)	15890
	15” timing marks	15941
	All vented front brake discs M170 pads	15950
June 1973	Headrest fitting in seat back (approx. Std.)	16000
	Foot operated parking brake LH	16079
	90:1 sensitivity HC system	16130
	1973 package steering column	16174
	1973 package deal	16214
	Alloy spring pot cover	16452
	Improved speedometer cable (saloon)	16458
	Blue spot tape player	16503
	Polyester woodwork - Corniche	16576
	Improved speedometer cable (coach-built)	16576
	Strengthened torque arm bkt (approx.)	16600
	Deeper fan spigot (LWB)	16657
	Compliant side steering lever (saloon)	16666
	Improved front engine cover (LWB)	16672
	Plastic bulls-eye (LWB)	16685
	Hydraulic anti-surge baffle	16699
	Elimination of overload on fuse 5 & Vinyl top dressing (LWB)	16877
	FD crossmember with through bolts (LWB)	16928
October 1973	Oil hangup mod (convertible)	17056
	Carpets with Velcro except LW8	17072
	Compliant side steering lever (Corniche)	17100
	Oil hang-up mod (Corniche saloon)	17270
	New fuel pipe run	17381
	Additional dashboard drain	17408
	Deletion of throttle stop (Corniche)	17509
	1974 Detox regs. (Corniche)	17515
	Mirror, s/control, tape, h/rest (standard)	17518
	Deletion of key warning buzzer (OTA Corniche)	17567
	Deletion of throttle step (standard)	17571
	New Bosch radio	17619
	1974 Detox regs. (Saloon)	17629
	Deletion of key warning buzzer (OTA saloon)	17672
	Oil hang-up mod (standard)	17768
	Deletion of charging plug	17885
	Deletion of two level lighting (Corniche)	17919
	Deeper fan spigot (Corniche)	17990
February 1974	Repositioned G valve screw (Camargue)	18157
	Deeper fan spigot (standard)	18171
	Improved front engine cover (coachbuilt)	18227
	Improved front engine cover (SWB)	18254
	1974 package phase 1 - wide track (saloon)	18269
	Plastic bulls-eyes (saloon)	18270
	Sundym standard (saloon. except UK, Germany & Australia)	18340
	Improved carburetter T piece (SWB)	18436
	Elimination of overload on fuse 5 (SWB)	18525
	Vinyl top dressing (4 door saloon)	18552
	1974 package phase 1-wide track (Corniche)	18563
	Softer engine mountings (Camargue)	18626
	FD crossmember with through bolts	18627
	Radiator shell mounting bolts USA (SW8)	18670
	Improved brake disc crimping (standard)	18836
	KPH speedo’s Australia (SWB)	18865
	Improved brake disc crimping (convertible)	18878
	Improved brake disc crimping (Corniche saloon)	18935
June 1974	Improved mascot (LWB)	19037
	Improved brake disc crimping (LWB)	19063
	KPH speedo’s Australta (LWB)	19076
	Pioneer QP444 tape player (Camargue)	19088
	Throttle levers (Camargue)	19094
	Repositioned G valve screw (LWB)	19121
	Repositioned G valve screw (SWB)	19201
	Repositioned G valve screw (coachbuilt)	19232
	KPH speedo’s Australia (coachbuilt)	19289
	Preservative coated brake discs (LWB)	19378
	Preservative coated brake discs (coachbuilt)	19419
	Softer engine mountings (LWB)	19443
	Australian type top roll to all SWB	19498
	Softer seat for starter interlock (LWB)	19535
	Improved mascot location & Long wheelbase non division HR70HR15	19577
	Australian top roll to all LWB	19605
	Preservative coated brake discs (SWB)	19615
	Long wheelbase division HR7OHR15	19640
	Device to prevent premature illumination of brake fluid warning light (LWB)	19668
	Shorter wheel studs (Camargue)	19673
	New hoses (brake)	19700
	Pioneer QP444 tape player (coachbuilt)	19731
	First Solex and Opus (Camargue)	19741
	Pioneer QP444 tape player (LWB)	19754
	New switch diaphragm	19800
	Softer seat for starter interlock (SWB)	19893
November 1974	Shorter wheel studs (LWB)	20012
	Rocker type companion switch	20019
	Pioneer QP444 tape player (SWB)	20058
	Shorter wheel studs (coachbuilt)	20120
	Centre exit manifold/catalyst (coachbuilt)	20171
	Shorter wheel studs (SWB)	20181
	Improved CDL	20200
	Device to prevent premature illumination of brake fluid warning (SWB)	20201
	Modded thermostat coil assv (coachbuilt)	20345
	Modded thermostat coil assy (LWB)	20579
	Centre exit manifold/catalyst (LWB)	20628
	Modded thermostat assy (SWB)	20665
	Seat belt warning (USA coachbuilt)	20712
	Centre exit manifold/catalyst (SWB)	20755
	1975 specification (Japan)	20797
February 1975	Halogen bulbs - all LH cars except Sweden & USA	21104
	Seat belt warning (USA SWB)	21177
	Modded throttle levers (coachbuilt)	21324
	Modded throttle levers (LWB)	21366
	Modded throttle levers (SWB)	21441
	Corniche cars (USA) - with automatic air conditioning unit, new facia/instrument board and fuel vapour emission control	21729
	Prestone UT184 anti-freeze (OTA LWB)	21933
	Corniche cars (OTA) - with automatic air conditioning unit, new facia/instrument board and Opus ignition with new plugs	21998
June 1975	(LWB) deletion of master cylinder/rear fog lamps, High pressure accumulator switch, High pressure fuel pump-flow & Check valve fuel vapour control (USA)	22073
	Prestone anti-freeze UT184 (OTA SWB)	22088
	(SWB) Opus ignition new plugs (OTA), Rear fog lamps (all cars) high pressure accumulator switch/deletion of master cylinder, High pressure pump and fuel flow check valve & fuel emission vapour control (USA cars only)	22118
	1976 USA Camargue specification	22192
	Smaller capacity accumulator sphere (SWB)	22415
	Self cancelling door locks (Camargue)	22448
	1976 USA SWB specification	22490
	1976 USA LWB specification. smaller capacity accumulator sphere (LWB USA - Japan - Australia)	22503
	Vacuum advance distributor	22572
	Corniche coupe DRH UK specification. With automatic air conditioning unit anti new facia/instrument board	22583
	Smaller capacity accumulator sphere (Camargue)	22587
	Vacuum advance distributor (SWB USA - Japan - Australia)	22600
	Corniche saloon CRH UK specification. With automatic air conditioning unit and new fact/instrument board	22648
	Opus ignition & New plugs (OTA LWB)	22673
	Improved window lift motor limit switches (Corniche only)	22781
	Low fluid washer bottle and improved pump (Corniche)	22847
	Low fluid washer bottle and improved pump (SWB)	22939
November 1975	Steering pump pulley interference fit on shaft	23024
	Low fluid washer bottle and washer pump (LWB)	23040
	1976 USA specification (Corniche) vacuum advance distributor for USA, Australia and Japan, High pressure accumulator switch	23059
	Stiffened ‘A’ post on Camargue to use Corniche cubby box light switch and door stop	23332
	Improved kickdown switch (LWB)	23527
	Improved kickdown switch (coachbuilt)	23603
	Automatic bulls-eye operation (Camargue)	23608
	improved kickdown switch (SWB)	23644
February 1976	Improved expansion valve for automatic ACU	24129
	Grooveless front main bearing shells	24331
	(Japanese coachbuilt) Additional temperature sensing switch and electric cooling fan. Catalytic exhaust and warning buzzer. Exhaust fire shield	24431
	(Japanese SWB) Additional temperature sensing switch and electric cooling fan. Catalytic exhaust and warning buzzer. Exhaust fire shield	24482
	Combined front lamp with flasher lens (Italian Corniche)	24500
	Drivers mirror to EEC regulations (UK Camargue only)	24506
	Drivers mirror to EEC regulations (UK Corniche only)	24806
	Engine mounted speed control bellows (all cars)	24811

June 1976	Date of manufacture plate fitted to dash (Japanese coachbuilt)	25188
	Provision of child restraint anchorages (Australian Corniche)	25328
	Improved quarter electric window lift (Corniche convertible)	25556
	1976 regulations specification changes (SWB, USA and Canada)	25565
	1976 regulations specification changes (LWB, USA and Canada)	25596
	Drivers mirror to EEC regulations (Camargue to EEC countries. except UK)	25618
	Provision of child restraint anchorages (Australian Camargue)	25623
	1976 regulations specification changes (SWB, all countries other than USA and Canada)	25625
	1976 regulations specification changes (LWB, all countries other than USA and Canada)	25741
	1976 regulations specification changes (Corniche convertible to all countries)	25958
August 1976	Improved catch for petrol filler box (Camargue fuel integrity cars only)	26159
	Japanese regulation door mounted mirror (Japanese Camargue only)	26706
	Last of the Shadow I series motor cars. No cars produced after 26708 until 30001	26708