The 1979 Bentley T2 Series belongs to the final years of Bentley’s long-running coachbuilt luxury saloon era, when traditional craftsmanship and effortless road manners still defined the car. Buyers looking after one today usually want a tire that respects that refined character as much as the proportions of the car itself. The 1979 Bentley T2 Series uses an HR70-15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, so the focus is not sorting through multiple primary sizes but choosing the right tire within that fitment. That can include balancing period-style appearance with road-use expectations. For restoration-minded owners, wheel condition, overall presentation, and correct radial fitment all deserve a careful look before replacement.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Bentley T2 Series
The 1979 Bentley T2 Series uses one primary tire size: HR70-15, a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim. The Base sub-model shares that same size, so the main decision is choosing the right tire character within HR70-15 while confirming that the car still has the correct wheel setup and no modifications that affect clearance.
HR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial size in which the letter designation identifies the tire’s size class, the 70 indicates its profile family, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1979 Bentley T2 Series, that means the car’s primary fitment is already a radial rather than an earlier bias-ply design. This format suits buyers who want a tire that matches the vehicle’s late-1970s luxury touring character without changing to a different sizing system. The important step is selecting an HR70-15 that fits the car’s intended appearance and use while verifying wheel condition and overall fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 Bentley T2 Series lineup. The shared sizing makes selection easier, but it is still worth confirming the exact sub-model and checking that the car remains on the correct 15-inch wheel setup before replacement.
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1979 Bentley T2 Series Base
The 1979 Bentley T2 Series Base uses the HR70-15 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection focused on finding the right radial within the proper fitment rather than sorting between multiple factory-style sizes or wheel diameters.
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
Common questions for the 1979 Bentley T2 Series usually center on HR70-15 sizing, 15-inch wheel fitment, radial construction, restoration presentation, and the inspections worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Bentley T2 Series?
The 1979 Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15 tires. This is the primary fitment for the model and it is a radial tire size designed for a 15-inch rim, which keeps the fitment picture simple compared with vehicles that used multiple factory tire sizes.
That does not mean every car is still on its original wheel setup today. Before replacing tires, confirm the wheel diameter on the car, inspect wheel condition, and make sure no aftermarket wheel or suspension changes have altered the space available around the tire.
What size rim does a 1979 Bentley T2 Series use?
The 1979 Bentley T2 Series uses a 15-inch rim with its HR70-15 tire fitment. The final number in the tire size confirms the wheel diameter, and that 15-inch dimension is the key rim measurement to verify before choosing replacement tires.
Wheel diameter is the first check, but it is not the only one that matters. A vintage luxury car should also have its wheel width, wheel condition, and tire-to-body clearance inspected, especially if the car has had wheel replacements, suspension work, or long-term storage between tire changes.
Does the 1979 Bentley T2 Series Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1979 Bentley T2 Series Base uses the same HR70-15 radial tire size as the core model fitment. That consistency helps simplify tire selection because there is no separate alternate primary size for the Base sub-model within this covered application.
Even with shared fitment, it is still smart to verify the actual wheels on the car. Older collector vehicles are sometimes changed over the years, so checking the installed rim diameter and the available clearance around the tire is more useful than assuming every surviving example remains unchanged.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a HR70-15 tire for a 1979 Bentley T2 Series?
Start with the correct size and construction. A 1979 Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15 radial tires, so the first priority is staying within that fitment and choosing a tire that suits the car’s luxury touring character rather than treating it like a generic modern replacement exercise.
Beyond size, think about how the car will be used and presented. A restoration-oriented car may call for a more traditional visual style, while a regularly driven example benefits from careful attention to wheel condition, tire age, and overall compatibility with the car’s current suspension and wheel setup.
How do I choose between available HR70-15 tires for a 1979 Bentley T2 Series?
The most useful way to compare HR70-15 tires is by focusing on fitment, construction consistency, and the visual character you want on the car. Since the 1979 Bentley T2 Series already uses a radial tire in this size, the choice usually comes down to selecting the right presentation within that established format.
Think about whether the car is being prepared for display, weekend touring, or broader road use. Tire age, wheel condition, and how the tire looks on a large luxury saloon are all worth weighing, and any car with altered wheels should have its actual setup checked before final selection.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1979 Bentley T2 Series tires?
The first rim-fitment detail is diameter, and the 1979 Bentley T2 Series uses a 15-inch wheel with HR70-15 tires. That must match before anything else, because a correct tire size still cannot be used properly if the wheel diameter on the car is different.
After confirming diameter, inspect the wheel itself and look at width, condition, and how the tire sits within the wheel opening. Collector cars can pick up replacement wheels over time, so checking the actual hardware on the car is just as important as knowing the correct nominal tire size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Bentley T2 Series?
A period-style approach starts with the proper HR70-15 size and the correct radial construction. Since the 1979 Bentley T2 Series was fitted with a radial in this application, staying with that sizing format preserves the car’s intended late-1970s luxury touring character more faithfully than jumping to an unrelated modern size.
Appearance still matters on a Bentley of this era, so the tire should look proportionate to the car as well as fit correctly. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare any prospective tire choice against marque references, photographs, and restoration documentation before making a final decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Bentley T2 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters both visually and mechanically on a 1979 Bentley T2 Series. The proper HR70-15 radial size helps maintain the car’s stance, wheel-to-tire proportion, and overall presentation, all of which are especially noticeable on a full-size luxury saloon.
A restoration also benefits from checking the actual wheels, not just the tire sidewall. Tires that are the right nominal size still need to suit the installed rims and clear the bodywork correctly, so a careful inspection of wheel condition and overall setup should be part of the restoration process.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Bentley T2 Series?
Yes. A 1979 Bentley T2 Series may have the correct HR70-15 tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height alterations, or body repairs can all influence how that tire actually sits and clears the car once installed.
That makes a physical inspection important before replacement. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and space around the fenders and suspension components, especially on a car that has changed hands several times or has been restored, customized, or updated over the years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Bentley T2 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire installation, then confirm proper inflation and look for any signs of rubbing at full steering lock. A 1979 Bentley T2 Series is a substantial car, so stable wheel mounting and clean tire-to-body clearance deserve close attention.
It is also wise to look beyond the tires themselves. Check suspension condition, alignment behavior, and any evidence of uneven wear or contact marks after the first short drive, since those early signs can reveal wheel or setup issues that were not obvious during installation.
How should HR70-15 tires on a collector 1979 Bentley T2 Series be maintained?
HR70-15 tires on a collector 1979 Bentley T2 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread. Low-mileage collector cars often wear their tires slowly, but time, storage conditions, and inactivity still affect rubber condition.
Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat-spotting, and any gradual air loss, especially after long storage periods. Clean, dry storage away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and a careful inspection before each driving season is a smart habit for a large vintage Bentley.
