The 1980 Bentley T2 Series belongs to the final years of Bentley’s long-running full-size luxury saloon lineage, a period when quiet road manners, formal styling, and substantial presence mattered as much as outright performance. Buyers drawn to a T2 today are often balancing preservation with real-world touring use, and tire choice plays directly into that experience. The 1980 Bentley T2 Series uses an HR70-15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping the fitment decision fairly focused. That puts the emphasis on choosing the right tire within the correct size and confirming wheel condition, overall appearance, and intended driving use before putting the car back into regular road service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Bentley T2 Series
The 1980 Bentley T2 Series uses one primary tire size: HR70-15, a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim. Because the covered sub-model shares that same size, the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which HR70-15 tire best suits the car’s road use, appearance goals, and wheel setup.
HR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial size in which the letter identifies the size class, the R indicates radial construction, the 70 identifies the profile family, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1980 Bentley T2 Series, that means a period-appropriate radial format rather than an earlier bias-ply size. This size is especially relevant to owners who want to keep the car’s proper luxury-saloon stance while still choosing carefully within the available tire construction. Before selecting an HR70-15 tire, confirm that the car still carries the correct 15-inch wheels and has not been altered with different wheel or suspension hardware.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1980 Bentley T2 Series sub-model. The included sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so selection centers on choosing the right HR70-15 tire rather than sorting through multiple factory fitments.
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1980 Bentley T2 Series Base
The 1980 Bentley T2 Series Base uses the HR70-15 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection focused on finding an appropriate radial in the correct format and confirming that the car still wears the proper 15-inch wheel setup before replacement.
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 1980 Bentley T2 Series, including wheel size, radial construction, tire selection, appearance considerations, and the checks that matter before returning a low-use luxury car to the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Bentley T2 Series?
The 1980 Bentley T2 Series uses an HR70-15 tire size. This is a radial fitment and it is the primary size associated with the vehicle, so the fitment question is fairly direct compared with cars that used multiple factory tire sizes across different configurations.
That makes the next step less about choosing among several sizes and more about confirming that the car still has its proper 15-inch wheels. Any older Bentley that has seen wheel changes, suspension work, or long storage deserves a close check before replacement so the selected HR70-15 tire matches the actual setup on the car.
What size rim does a 1980 Bentley T2 Series use?
The 1980 Bentley T2 Series uses a 15-inch rim with its HR70-15 tire size. The rim diameter matters because the 15 in HR70-15 refers to the wheel diameter, and the tire must match that wheel diameter exactly.
A 15-inch rim does not by itself answer every fitment question, especially on a collector car that may have changed wheels at some point. It is worth checking the actual wheel diameter and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, particularly if the car has sat for extended periods or carries aftermarket wheels that alter the original setup.
Does the 1980 Bentley T2 Series Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1980 Bentley T2 Series Base uses the same HR70-15 radial tire size as the covered model fitment. There is no separate primary tire size to sort through for that sub-model, which simplifies the search compared with vehicles that vary by trim or package.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to verify the actual wheels on the car before ordering replacement tires. A Bentley that has been restored, modified, or fitted with different wheels over the years may no longer match its original configuration, so confirming the 15-inch wheel setup is a smart final check.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a HR70-15 tire for a 1980 Bentley T2 Series?
Start with the basics: the correct size is HR70-15, the construction is radial, and the wheel diameter is 15 inches. Once those points are confirmed, the real selection factors become the tire’s overall look, how the car is used, and whether the goal is preservation-oriented driving or regular touring use.
A large luxury saloon like the T2 benefits from a tire choice that suits its character rather than simply filling the wheel opening. Check the actual wheel condition, confirm that the tire complements the car’s appearance, and compare product details carefully if the car will see sustained road use rather than occasional display or short local outings.
How do I choose between the available HR70-15 tires for a 1980 Bentley T2 Series?
Choose between HR70-15 tires by staying with the correct size and then comparing the characteristics that matter to your car. On a Bentley T2 Series, that usually means looking at the tire’s visual presentation, construction details within the correct radial format, and how closely the tire suits the car’s intended use.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a more traditional look, while a road-driven example may place more emphasis on practical touring use. The best approach is to confirm the wheel setup first, then compare the available HR70-15 options with the car’s current stance, clearance, and the kind of driving the car will actually see.
What tire series are available for the 1980 Bentley T2 Series?
The primary fitment question for the 1980 Bentley T2 Series remains the HR70-15 size rather than switching among several factory tire sizes. Tire series can matter when comparing available products, because different series often reflect different styling cues and intended presentation within the same overall fitment.
Series choice is most useful after the size and wheel diameter are confirmed. Once the car’s 15-inch setup is verified, compare the available HR70-15 offerings with your priorities in mind, especially if the Bentley is being maintained as a preservation car, a regularly driven collector car, or a more formal restoration project.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Bentley T2 Series?
A period-style approach starts with the correct primary fitment, which for the 1980 Bentley T2 Series is HR70-15 in radial construction. Keeping the original size format is the strongest starting point for preserving the car’s visual balance, side profile, and the dignified stance expected from a full-size Bentley of this era.
Appearance-focused buyers should look closely at the tire’s overall presentation rather than treating any tire in the right size as automatically suitable. If exact restoration accuracy matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, photographs, and vehicle-specific historical material so the finished look supports the character of the car.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1980 Bentley T2 Series restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size has a major effect on how a restored 1980 Bentley T2 Series sits, looks, and drives. Using the proper HR70-15 radial size helps maintain the proportions expected on a large luxury sedan from this period and avoids introducing an obviously mismatched modern presentation.
Restoration results can be undermined quickly by the wrong diameter, profile, or wheel combination, even when the car is otherwise finished to a high standard. Along with confirming the correct 15-inch wheel diameter, check how the tire fills the opening and complements the overall stance before putting the car into regular service.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Bentley T2 Series?
Yes. Even though the correct primary tire size is HR70-15, modifications can change whether that size still suits the car as it currently sits. Different wheels, suspension alterations, changes in ride height, or body work can all influence clearance and the way the tire relates to the wheel opening.
That matters most on collector vehicles that have passed through several owners or older restorations. A careful check of wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and suspension condition helps prevent surprises, especially if the Bentley no longer wears its original-style wheels or has had chassis work done during its life.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Bentley T2 Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm proper tire pressure and look over the suspension and steering components. A 1980 Bentley T2 Series is a substantial car, so the basic condition of the wheel and chassis hardware matters just as much as choosing the correct HR70-15 tire size.
Roadworthiness checks should also include signs of rubbing, uneven stance, fluid leaks near brake components, and any evidence that the car has been sitting for long periods. A slow test drive followed by another visual inspection can reveal issues that are easy to miss while the car is stationary in the garage.
How should HR70-15 tires on a collector 1980 Bentley T2 Series be maintained?
HR70-15 tires on a collector 1980 Bentley T2 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Collector cars often accumulate miles slowly, so sidewall condition, age-related deterioration, and flat-spotting during storage can become just as important as visible tread wear.
Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It also makes sense to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive, since an older luxury car that sits for weeks or months can develop air loss or age-related issues without obvious warning.
