The world’s oldest Bentley T-Series, a standard saloon in Shell Grey, has returned to Crewe after 59 years. Sensitively recommissioned and retaining much of its original componentry and running gear, it takes its place in the Bentley Heritage Collection of road- and race-cars that together describe all 105 years of Bentley’s history.

T-Series chassis number SBH1001 was used as a company trials car and featured in the original press coverage following the model launch at the 1965 Paris Salon de l’Auto. When found under a cover in storage, the car had not run for decades and was missing several key areas – including its entire interior. The car’s significance as the first T-Series – or equivalent Rolls Royce Silver Shadow – off the production line prompted the decision to recommission it, preserving as much of the original car as possible.

Mike Sayer, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, explains: “The T-Series is one of the final two pieces of the puzzle to complete our rejuvenated Heritage Collection. Our Chief Communications Officer, Wayne Bruce and I quite literally found it under a tarpaulin in the back of a warehouse, and given it was the first-of-line chassis we knew we had to save it. Together with our T-Series Mulliner Coupe, this revitalised sedan completes the Bentley heritage story of the 1960s and 1970s, and is now an outstanding example of the model, which was the first Bentley to use a unitary monocoque construction.”

After a group of Bentley apprentices started the process of dismantling and assessing the car, the recommissioning of the T-Series was entrusted to the expert team at P&A Wood, specialists in the preservation and restoration of classic Bentleys and the company’s partner for Heritage Collection projects. Louise Wood, daughter of co-founder Andrew Wood, led the project, supported by Coachwork manager Dave Lowe – a P&A Wood veteran of 23 years.

Restored to Prime Condition

Taking stock of the T-Series Bentley, key elements of the drivetrain proved to be in surprisingly good condition. The engine burst into life after a 15-year silence, needing only a thorough service, and the gearbox simply required minor adjustment. The rear axle too was in a good state and only needed new seals.

Major challenges for the team included a missing dashboard, no interior trim, a wiring loom in pieces without a detailed diagram, corrosion around the rear subframe and previous poor-quality crash repairs. With few replacement parts available off-the shelf, the team sourced a donor vehicle that was at the end of its life. As the specification of the T-Series evolved over the years, it was important that the donor should also be an early model. Every detail was discussed and pored over, right down to the correct (Rolls-Royce) logo on the seat belt buckles and the lack of wing mirrors.

The T Series featured innovative vibration-deadening Vibrashock mounts and a two-circuit hydro-pneumatic ride height control, all of which were thoroughly overhauled. All hydraulic hoses were replaced, and unique components like the brake distribution valves were restored to full working condition. Rewiring and fitting the dashboard proved a major undertaking, requiring huge amounts of time and perseverance. 

Meanwhile the paintwork was stripped, revealing poorly executed accident repair work and inconsistent panel gaps. One rear wing was corroded and had to be replaced, after which the entire vehicle was given multiple coats of 2k high build primer, each coat being carefully sanded down once dry. ‘We spent a lot of time softening the panel edges, so they don’t look carved out of filler,’ Dave Lowe explains. ‘And though we’re using modern two-pack finishes, we tried to do everything in the old Crewe way.’ That included a final sand down with 8000 grit abrasive followed by machine polishing. Brightwork and bumpers were cleaned and polished, but not re-chromed – preserving the original patina.

That story now begins a new chapter, as the T-Series is reunited with its former press office registration number of 1900 TU as the latest addition to the Heritage Collection. Along with the 45 other cars in the Collection, the T-Series will live on Bentley’s campus in Crewe, England, on permanent display and kept in running, road legal condition to enable driving when needed.

The Bentley T-Series

In 1958, work began on designing the first monocoque Bentley and Rolls-Royce, destined to replace coachbuilt bodies underpinned by a separate chassis. The result was the car sold by Bentley as the T-Series and by Rolls-Royce as the Silver Shadow. By 1962, John Blatchley – famous for styling the R-Type Continental – had completed a new exterior design for a steel and aluminium monocoque body. The design improved on the passenger space of the preceding S3, but with the overall car now seven inches shorter, five inches lower and three and a half inches narrower.

Using the freshly developed 225 bhp, 6.23-litre V8 engine, seven prototypes undertook significant testing including endurance runs of over 100,000 miles. At the time the engine achieved the highest specific output by weight of any production car in the world of 2.7 lb/hp (1.2 kg/hp).  Design innovations included separate sub frames to carry the engine and transmission, suspension, steering and rear axle assemblies, with ‘Vibrashock’ rubber sub frame mounts developed to isolate road noise and vibration.   

The Bentley T-Series was hailed as a clear example of revolutionary engineering given it was the first Bentley to move away from a separate chassis build, and its relatively lightweight construction gave impressive performance for a four-sedan in 1965, with a maximum speed of 115 mph and 0-62 mph achieved in 10.9 seconds. 1,868 examples of the first-generation T-Series were produced, with a pre-tax list price of £5,425 and the majority being standard four-door saloons.

• By Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director Amadeus Gulf

In the ever-evolving travel industry, airlines and travel agencies are increasingly turning to cutting-edge solutions to stay competitive and deliver enhanced customer experiences. One such airline retailing solution is New Distribution Capability (NDC), a transformative approach that is reshaping how airlines and travel sellers interact with consumers, unlocking new opportunities for personalization, differentiation, and growth.

For Amadeus, NDC represents a significant shift in the way airlines distribute their products, and how travel sellers consume them. By embracing NDC, airlines gain the ability to deliver richer, more personalized content to travelers, allowing for more dynamic and flexible pricing models. In real-time, travel sellers can access tailored offers that meet the specific needs and preferences of their clients, ultimately driving better customer experiences and higher revenue potential.

Enhancing Product Differentiation and Customer Experiences

At its core, NDC enables airlines to innovate in ways that supports modern retailing, giving them greater control over their content, and allowing them to present their products in a way that is more relevant and engaging for consumers. With this technology, airlines can offer unique bundles, special services, and customized fare options, differentiating their offerings from competitors – and distribute them in a way that enrich and enhance the shopping experience on the buyer’s side. As a result, travelers can enjoy a more tailored experience—one that aligns with their individual or company preferences, whether they prioritize cost savings, convenience, or premium services.

From the perspective of travel sellers, NDC can provide them with more dynamic content and tailored offers, allowing agents to access the latest fares and offers and craft more personalized travel packages. This not only enhances the value provided to travelers but also strengthens the relationship between the travel sellers and their clients. By delivering offers that are more relevant and attractive, travel sellers are better equipped to capture new revenue streams and improve customer loyalty in a highly competitive market.

NDC’s Impact on Revenue Potential

NDC also brings significant revenue opportunities to both airlines and travel agents. The dynamic pricing capabilities enabled by NDC allow airlines to adjust their fares in real-time based on market demand, traveller preferences, and competitive factors. This level of pricing flexibility opens the door to more strategic revenue management and improved yield. At the same time, travel sellers are able to access exclusive deals and tailored offers that resonate more with their clients, driving additional sales and elevating the overall travel experience.

For airlines, the ability to provide detailed service descriptions, images and personalized offers through the NDC technology allows for upselling and cross-selling opportunities that were previously untapped. Travel agents, by accessing this richer content, can better recommend and cross-sell ancillary services such as seat upgrades, baggage options, and inflight services to best suit their clients’ needs, ultimately increasing revenue per passenger.

NDC: A Future-Proof Solution for Travel Sellers

In today’s rapidly changing travel landscape, the adoption of NDC is becoming essential for travel sellers to remain competitive. As travelers increasingly expect a personalized, seamless, and efficient booking experience, travel sellers must evolve to meet these demands. NDC provides the tools needed to deliver on these expectations, helping travel sellers future-proof their business by staying ahead of industry trends.

At Amadeus, we recognize the importance of NDC in driving the next phase of industry growth. We are committed to supporting travel agencies through this transition by offering the tools, content, and expertise necessary to thrive in the new world of modern retailing. We exploit all the advances that this new technology brings, but we also make sure that it makes sense for those using it, not compromising operational efficiency.  

That is why our solutions provide deep end-to-end integrations of content via NDC into the travel seller’s technical ecosystem, so that existing tools and processes can be used also with NDC-sourced content. By embracing NDC, travel sellers can unlock new potential and deliver superior value to their clients, securing their place in the future of travel.

Hala, Dubai’s most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, launched its WhatsApp booking platform as an additional channel for securing Hala rides in the city. This development will make it easier and more accessible for Dubai residents and visitors to access transportation with a simple text message.

As part of the new launch, Hala introduced a WhatsApp chatbot to manage booking requests, streamlining the process, and reinforcing Hala’s commitment to using technology to improve Dubai’s mobility options. The interactive chatbot will ensure customers enjoy an intuitive and friendly user experience. Additionally, passengers booking rides through WhatsApp will enjoy the same prices as those made via the Careem application.

Khaled Nuseibeh, Chief Executive Officer at Hala said, “We are excited to bring WhatsApp bookings to our customers across Dubai, making their booking process fast and more accessible.  As one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, WhatsApp allows us to reach a wider audience and engage with its large user base in the city. By introducing this additional booking channel, Hala continues to make a difference in the way people commute daily across Dubai.”

The WhatsApp ride-booking feature is simple and quick to use:

1. Passengers can message ‘Hi’ to 800 HALATAXI (4252 8294) to start the booking process. The Hala chatbot will request the passenger’s location to book a ride.
2. Passengers will then receive a booking confirmation along with the captain’s information and estimated arrival time.
3. Real-time updates are provided, allowing customers to track their ride until the taxi arrives.
4. Passengers will receive a live tracking link, which can be shared with friends and family to monitor their journey.
5. Users can pay at the drop-off location via card or cash.

The service is available 24/7, providing passengers with easy access to rides at any time of day or night. In addition to WhatsApp bookings, Hala continues to offer its regular booking option through the Careem application. This ensures that Dubai residents and tourists benefit from a smooth and hassle-free taxi booking experience.

As Dubai’s most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, Hala remains committed to integrating innovative technology into its operations, continuously seeking ways to elevate the customer experience and expand its service offerings. Hala currently manages 24,000 captains on its platform with a fleet of 12,000 cars provided by its franchise partners for Dubai residents and visitors.