Bentley T2 Series Tires
Bentley T2 Series carried Bentley’s traditional luxury saloon character into the late 1970s, combining formal coachwork, substantial weight, and refined road manners in a distinctly British package. Produced from 1977 through 1980 in the range covered here, Bentley T2 Series sits in an era where tire selection matters not just for appearance, but for preserving the intended balance of ride comfort, steering feel, and overall stance. The fitment is more straightforward than on many earlier collector cars because one size appears across the full production span, yet construction style and overall tire character still deserve careful attention. Confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car and compare the tire marking before choosing a replacement.
Bentley T2 Series Tire Size Guide
Bentley T2 Series uses one tire size across the 1977 to 1980 production span covered here: HR70-15. In this alphanumeric radial format, the H identifies the tire’s speed and size class, the R indicates radial construction, 70 is the aspect ratio series, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. That means Bentley T2 Series owners should be looking for a 15-inch radial tire in the HR70-15 size rather than an earlier numeric or bias-ply equivalent. Because this is a late-classic luxury car, tire choice affects both ride quality and the visual stance of the car, so it is worth matching the sidewall and construction style to the way the car will be used. Verify the size stamped on the existing tire and the wheel before selecting a replacement.
Bentley T2 Series Tires by Year
The year listing breaks Bentley T2 Series fitment down one model year at a time so you can match the tire size to the specific car. Across 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980, the same size is used, which makes year-to-year selection more straightforward than on many earlier collector models. Use the year tabs as a quick confirmation against the tire marking already on the car.
1977 Bentley T2 Series
- HR70-15
1978 Bentley T2 Series
- HR70-15
1979 Bentley T2 Series
- HR70-15
1980 Bentley T2 Series
- HR70-15
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on what Bentley T2 Series owners usually need to sort out before replacing tires, including how to read HR70-15 sizing, how to verify the correct fitment, and what to look for when maintaining a low-use collector luxury car.
Size Basics & Fitment
Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15 across the 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 model years covered here. HR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial size with a 15-inch wheel diameter, so the fitment remains consistent throughout the full year range rather than changing by year.
That consistency simplifies the search, but it is still wise to confirm the size stamped on the tire currently fitted to the car and to check the wheel itself for 15-inch diameter. Collector cars sometimes receive replacement wheels or prior tire substitutions, and Bentley T2 Series benefits from keeping the proper overall profile for ride quality and appearance.
HR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial tire size used on Bentley T2 Series. The H identifies the tire’s size and performance class, the R means radial construction, the 70 indicates the aspect ratio series, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.
For a Bentley T2 Series owner, the practical point is that this is a modern-style radial size rather than an earlier bias-ply or purely numeric designation. Matching the full HR70-15 code matters because changing the construction type or profile can alter how the car rides, steers, and sits visually.
Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15 radial sizing, which is different from earlier tube-type collector fitments commonly seen on pre-war and brass-era cars. Nothing in the listed fitment points to an antique tube-type size format, so Bentley T2 Series owners should focus first on matching the correct radial size and wheel diameter.
Tube decisions should always be tied to the actual wheel and tire combination on the car, especially if the wheels have been refinished, replaced, or restored over time. Before fitting any tire, inspect the wheels carefully and confirm whether the wheel design and tire specification call for tubeless use or a tube-assisted installation.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1977 Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15 in the year range covered here. Because the same size continues through 1980, the fitment itself is simple, with no year-to-year diameter change or alternate size split shown for 1977.
The best approach is to compare three things on the actual car: the tire marking now fitted, the wheel diameter, and any original vehicle paperwork that has remained with the car. That helps catch past substitutions and keeps a restored or preserved Bentley T2 Series closer to the intended ride and stance.
A 1980 Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15. The fitment remains the same as the earlier 1977 through 1979 Bentley T2 Series listings in this model group, so there is no separate late-production size change to account for here.
Even with a single listed fitment, it is smart to inspect the tire sidewall and verify that the car still carries 15-inch wheels. Bentley T2 Series cars are often maintained over decades by multiple owners, and confirming the actual hardware on the car prevents choosing a tire that matches the year on paper but not the wheels in service.
Bentley T2 Series is listed here with one fitment size, HR70-15, rather than a broad spread of different vintage tire series such as high-pressure, balloon, or cord-era designs. That places the emphasis on selecting the correct radial size and an overall tire character that suits a late-classic luxury saloon.
For most Bentley T2 Series owners, the real decision is not between several early tire technologies but between replacement options that preserve the car’s intended ride, steering response, and visual proportion. Looking closely at sidewall appearance, tread style, and overall profile will help you choose a tire that feels right for the car’s period and purpose.
Maintenance & Longevity
Bentley T2 Series should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Tires age from time, environment, and load as much as from mileage, so a low-use collector Bentley T2 Series still benefits from careful storage habits.
Keeping the car clean, maintaining proper inflation, and moving it periodically to avoid prolonged flat spotting will help preserve the tires. If the car will sit for an extended period, many owners also reduce stress on the tires by rolling the vehicle occasionally or supporting it in a way that matches safe workshop practice.
Tires on a Bentley T2 Series should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven sparingly. Check for cracking, weathering, irregular wear, punctures, sidewall damage, and any change in how the car steers or rides, because age-related issues often appear before tread wears out on collector vehicles.
A practical routine is to inspect the tires before each drive and give them a more thorough review several times a year. Bentley T2 Series is a substantial luxury car, so small issues in inflation or tire condition can quickly affect ride quality, straight-line stability, and braking feel.
Bentley T2 Series tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, or other structural signs appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often accumulate years faster than miles, and a tire that appears presentable can still be past its useful service life.
That means tire condition should be judged by age and physical inspection, not mileage alone. If there is any doubt about sidewall integrity, internal condition, or long-term storage history, have the tires examined by a professional who understands collector vehicles before continuing regular road use.
Restoration & Authenticity
Bentley T2 Series is listed here in HR70-15 sizing for 1977 through 1980. That establishes the correct fitment family for the model years covered, but originality questions on an individual Bentley T2 Series can still involve details such as tire appearance, sidewall presentation, and how closely a modern replacement matches period character.
Owners pursuing a highly accurate restoration should compare the car against surviving factory literature, delivery records, and marque-club guidance for the specific chassis. That extra step helps separate a correct operating size from a fully authentic presentation, which is often important in show judging and preservation-minded work.
Correct tire fitment can influence both presentation and judging on a Bentley T2 Series because tires strongly affect stance, wheelwell fill, and visual authenticity. Even when the size is right, a tire that looks too modern or has the wrong overall profile can change how the car is perceived.
For a restoration-minded Bentley T2 Series owner, matching the proper HR70-15 size is the first step, and matching the appropriate appearance is the second. If the car is being prepared for concours or marque judging, compare your choice against club standards and period photos so the finished car looks consistent with its era.
Bentley T2 Series belongs to a late-classic luxury era where sidewall appearance plays a large role in whether the car looks properly finished. The correct style for a particular Bentley T2 Series restoration depends on the presentation standard you are aiming for, whether that is factory-style restraint, period luxury appearance, or a preservation-focused look.
The practical way to settle the question is to compare the car against period photography, original sales material, and marque-club guidance for the exact year and market presentation. Sidewall style is often one of the first visual cues judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice, so it deserves the same attention as size and construction.
Safety & Road Use
A properly selected tire in the correct HR70-15 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Bentley T2 Series when the tire is in sound condition and the rest of the car is equally well maintained. Safe use depends on the complete condition of the tires, wheels, suspension, steering, and brakes rather than on size alone.
Before regular road driving, inspect the tires closely for age-related deterioration and make sure inflation and wheel condition are correct. Bentley T2 Series is capable of comfortable road use, but any collector car should be treated as a complete mechanical system, not simply a set of tires mounted to a usable chassis.
Before driving a Bentley T2 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread surface, wheel security, and any signs of cracking or flat spotting from storage. It is also worth paying attention to how the car steers and settles once moving, since vibration or pull can point to tire or wheel issues.
A short pre-drive inspection is especially important on collector cars that may sit for long periods between outings. On a Bentley T2 Series, that quick review helps protect both the car’s road manners and the expensive suspension and steering components that can be affected by neglected tire condition.
Appropriate speed for a Bentley T2 Series depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, inflation, and age, not simply on the fact that the size is HR70-15. A collector Bentley T2 Series should never be driven as though any aging tire is equivalent to a fresh modern replacement just because the size code appears correct.
The sensible approach is to drive within the tire’s actual condition and the overall mechanical condition of the car, especially after long storage or recent recommissioning. If the tires are older, recently acquired with an uncertain history, or show any signs of age, conservative speeds and a professional inspection are the right course.