The 1978 Bentley T2 Series belongs to the final stretch of Bentley’s long-running T-series luxury saloon, a model known for formal styling, substantial road presence, and effortless grand-touring character. Buyers looking after one today usually care as much about stance and ride quality as they do about simple replacement fitment. This exact model uses an HR70-15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, which keeps the conversation focused on choosing the right interpretation of that original-style fitment. For many owners, the real choice is between period-style tire presentation and the available product details within the correct size. That makes wheel confirmation, appearance goals, and intended road use the key considerations before selecting a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Bentley T2 Series
The 1978 Bentley T2 Series uses one primary tire size: HR70-15. It is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is not size selection but choosing the right tire within that fitment and confirming that the car still retains the proper wheel setup.
HR70-15 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size. In this format, the letter identifies the tire’s size class, the R indicates radial construction, the 70 designates the profile family, and the 15 refers to the rim diameter in inches. For a 1978 Bentley T2 Series, that means a period-appropriate radial fitment rather than an earlier bias-ply application. Buyers should focus on selecting an HR70-15 tire that suits the car’s character and intended presentation, while also confirming wheel diameter and overall compatibility if the vehicle has seen any wheel or suspension changes over time.
Tire fitment for the 1978 Bentley T2 Series is straightforward across the covered sub-models. The key is still confirming the exact vehicle and wheel setup, especially on a collector car that may have been altered during its life.
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1978 Bentley T2 Series Base
The 1978 Bentley T2 Series Base uses the same HR70-15 radial fitment associated with this model line. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing the right period-style radial presentation and verifying that the car still carries the correct 15-inch wheel arrangement.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on HR70-15 fitment for the 1978 Bentley T2 Series, including rim sizing, sub-model consistency, tire selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Bentley T2 Series?
The 1978 Bentley T2 Series uses an HR70-15 tire size. This is a radial fitment, and it belongs to the vintage alphanumeric radial sizing system rather than a modern P-metric format.
That answer covers the core fitment question, but an owner should still confirm that the car remains on the correct 15-inch wheels before purchasing tires. On a collector Bentley, past wheel changes, replacement rims, or long-ago modifications can affect what actually fits the car today even when HR70-15 is the intended size.
What size rim does a 1978 Bentley T2 Series use?
The 1978 Bentley T2 Series uses a 15-inch rim with its HR70-15 tire size. The tire’s final number, 15, matches the wheel diameter in inches.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before replacing tires, because the correct tire size cannot be mounted safely on the wrong wheel diameter. It is also worth checking the actual wheel on the car if it has been restored or updated, since a different wheel can change tire choice, appearance, and clearance.
Does the 1978 Bentley T2 Series Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1978 Bentley T2 Series Base uses the same HR70-15 radial tire size as the covered model fitment. There is no separate primary tire size for that sub-model here.
That makes selection simpler, because the decision shifts away from comparing multiple factory fitments and toward choosing the right tire within HR70-15. Even so, it remains smart to inspect the car’s current wheels and overall setup, especially if originality, ride quality, or period-style appearance is an important part of the ownership goal.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a HR70-15 tire for a 1978 Bentley T2 Series?
Start with the basics: the tire should be the correct HR70-15 size and intended for a 15-inch rim. Since this Bentley uses a radial fitment, the real selection process is about choosing a tire that matches the car’s road use, visual character, and overall presentation.
A well-kept touring sedan like the T2 Series benefits from a tire that looks appropriate on the car and suits how it will be driven, whether that means occasional local use or longer road outings. Wheel condition, current suspension height, and any older modifications should also be reviewed so the finished setup remains balanced and properly proportioned.
How do I choose between the available HR70-15 tires for a 1978 Bentley T2 Series?
The best approach is to compare tires within the same HR70-15 fitment by the details that matter most to your car. On a 1978 Bentley T2 Series, that usually means balancing proper size, radial construction, appearance, and how closely the tire complements the car’s formal late-1970s character.
One owner may prioritize a more restoration-oriented look, while another may focus on regular road use and a clean touring presentation. It also helps to compare the wheel setup already on the car before making a final choice, because matching the intended tire to the actual rim and overall stance is just as important as choosing the correct size code.
Why does the HR70-15 size matter on a 1978 Bentley T2 Series?
HR70-15 matters because it is the primary tire size tied to the 1978 Bentley T2 Series, and each part of that code carries fitment meaning. The radial construction, profile family, and 15-inch rim diameter all affect which tires belong in the correct range for the car.
Moving away from that size without careful checking can change the way the car sits, how the wheel opening looks, and whether the tire properly suits the wheel already installed. Even on a luxury car with generous proportions, correct tire sizing still plays a major role in preserving the right visual balance and dependable road manners.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Bentley T2 Series?
A period-style choice for a 1978 Bentley T2 Series starts with the correct HR70-15 radial size. Using the proper alphanumeric radial format helps maintain the car’s late-1970s character more effectively than choosing a tire that only matches the wheel diameter but not the intended overall style.
Appearance-driven buyers should also pay attention to how the tire complements the Bentley’s formal body lines and substantial stance. If exact originality matters for a restoration, it is wise to compare the tire choice against marque-specific historical references or trusted restoration documentation rather than assuming every tire in the right size matches the car’s original delivery look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1978 Bentley T2 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size has a visible effect on how a restored 1978 Bentley T2 Series sits and presents itself. HR70-15 is not just a technical specification; it shapes the wheel-to-body relationship and the overall period feel of the finished car.
A restoration can lose some of its visual accuracy if the tires look too modern in proportion or do not suit the 15-inch wheel arrangement properly. Beyond appearance, correct fitment also helps preserve sensible clearance and road manners, which is important on a large luxury saloon expected to look composed and drive with confidence.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Bentley T2 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Bentley T2 Series even when HR70-15 is the intended size. Changes to wheels, ride height, suspension components, or body clearance can alter what works on the car in practice.
A Bentley that has aftermarket wheels or suspension work should be inspected before new tires are chosen. Tire selection becomes much easier when the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance are confirmed first, because that avoids assuming the current setup still matches the original-style fitment the car was designed to use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Bentley T2 Series on new tires?
Before driving on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, make sure the tire size matches the 15-inch rim, and check that the tires seat properly and hold air consistently. Basic mechanical condition matters too, especially on a heavy collector luxury car that may have spent long periods parked.
A road-ready inspection should also include tire pressure, visible clearance at the fenders and suspension, and the condition of steering and suspension parts that influence tracking and ride quality. Taking time to review those areas helps the new tires perform as intended and reduces the chance of discovering a fitment or mechanical issue once the car is underway.
How should HR70-15 tires on a collector 1978 Bentley T2 Series be maintained?
HR70-15 tires on a collector 1978 Bentley T2 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Even a lightly driven car can develop problems from long stationary periods, improper storage, or gradual air loss rather than from mileage alone.
It helps to look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, or any sign that the tire is no longer aging evenly. Storage practices matter as well, since prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can shorten tire life. Routine inspection is especially important on a vintage Bentley that may see infrequent but longer seasonal drives.
