1978 Bentley Tire Fitment Guide

1978 Bentley vehicles covered here use one tire size: HR70-15. That size applies to the 1978 Bentley T2 Series, and it mounts on a 15-inch wheel. Since there is only one model and one size in this year-and-make range, there is no split between different Bentley passenger-car sizes to sort through first.

That makes model identification easy, but it is still wise to confirm the actual wheel on the car before choosing a tire, especially on a collector Bentley that may have seen wheel changes over the years. Once the wheel diameter and model are confirmed, the next step is choosing an HR70-15 tire that fits your goals for appearance, touring use, and restoration character.

HR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial size. The final 15 is the wheel diameter in inches, the 70 identifies the tire’s aspect-ratio series, and the H indicates the tire’s size class within this older alphanumeric system. Because the code does not use today’s millimeter-first format, it often looks unfamiliar even though it was common on premium cars in the 1970s.

For a 1978 Bentley owner, the practical point is that HR70-15 is already a radial-era size rather than an earlier bias-ply format. That means your search should stay centered on correctly built radial replacements in the same size family, while also checking the specific tire’s sidewall style and service details so the finished result suits the character of a late-1970s Bentley.

Yes. The 1978 Bentley range covered here uses a single tire size, HR70-15, and that size applies to the Bentley T2 Series. There is no year-specific split here between one Bentley model using a smaller wheel and another using a larger one, which simplifies the first stage of fitment research.

Even with a shared size, owners still make different tire choices depending on how the car will be used. A preservation-minded T2 Series may call for a different look than a regularly driven touring car, so once you know the car is a 1978 Bentley T2 Series with 15-inch wheels, your attention can move from fitment differences to tire style, brand character, and setup details.

The 1978 Bentley fitment shown here identifies the correct size as HR70-15, but no brand range is attached within this year-and-make summary. The important fitment point is that any tire you consider still needs to match the HR70-15 sizing and suit the Bentley T2 Series’ 15-inch wheel requirement.

That means brand choice should come after size confirmation, not before it. Once you are comparing actual HR70-15 offerings, look closely at sidewall appearance, service description, and how closely the tire’s overall presentation matches the kind of Bentley you own, whether that is a preservation-focused car, a driver, or a formal show presentation.

1978 Bentley vehicles use the HR70-15 radial size, and sidewall styling can matter almost as much as size on a luxury British saloon from this era. A Bentley T2 Series usually looks most natural with a sidewall treatment that complements the car’s formal proportions and period-correct late-1970s appearance rather than something visually modern or overly aggressive.

The right choice depends on how original you want the finished car to feel. Owners aiming for a showroom-era presentation often favor a sidewall that looks at home on an upper-tier 1970s luxury car, while owners focused on regular road use may prioritize the overall tire character first and then select the sidewall style that best preserves the Bentley’s understated look.

With 1978 Bentley fitment, the sizing decision is simple because the T2 Series uses HR70-15. The more meaningful choice comes after that: selecting a tire whose construction, appearance, and service description suit a heavy, comfort-oriented luxury sedan. Since the size itself is fixed, the details of the individual tire become more important than they would on a year-and-make page with several fitment options.

Start by confirming the car still has its correct 15-inch wheels, then compare HR70-15 tires by their sidewall presentation and intended use. A Bentley that spends most of its life on event lawns and short fair-weather drives may call for a different overall look than one used for frequent touring, even when both cars wear the same nominal size.

The 1978 Bentley T2 Series uses HR70-15 on a 15-inch wheel, so wheel diameter is clear at the year-and-make level. Rim width still needs to match the specific tire you select, because acceptable wheel-width ranges are set by the tire manufacturer rather than by the size code alone. That is especially important on a luxury car whose ride and steering feel can change noticeably if the wheel and tire are mismatched.

Before committing to a tire, verify the wheel dimensions on the car and compare them with the chosen tire’s approved wheel range. This matters most on restored or long-owned Bentleys, where replacement wheels, refinished rims, or market-specific changes may have entered the car’s history. A quick measurement now prevents appearance issues and avoids avoidable fitment surprises later.

A 1978 Bentley T2 Series uses the radial HR70-15 size, but tube fitment depends on the exact tire and wheel combination rather than on the year and make alone. Some collector-car tires are built for tubeless use, while certain wheel conditions or tire designs may call for tube use. The size code itself does not settle that question.

Check both the tire’s sidewall marking and the condition and design of the wheel before finalizing your setup. Original wheels in excellent condition may support one approach, while pitted rims, older restorations, or specialty tire constructions may point another way. If there is any doubt, have the wheel inspected and follow the tire manufacturer’s guidance for the exact HR70-15 product you choose.

A stored 1978 Bentley should be kept in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Clean, properly inflated tires handle storage better than underinflated ones, and the car should be moved periodically or supported correctly if it will sit for an extended time.

Because the Bentley T2 Series is a substantial luxury car, long static periods can leave temporary flat spotting or place unnecessary stress on old rubber. Many owners reduce that risk by rolling the car occasionally, keeping the floor free of moisture, and using covers only when they do not trap condensation. Good storage habits protect both appearance and drivability.

Tires on a 1978 Bentley should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector luxury cars often cover limited annual miles. A useful rule is to inspect them closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks generous.

The sidewall and the DOT date code provide more useful guidance than odometer readings on a low-use Bentley. Cracking, hardening, vibration, irregular wear, or recurring pressure loss matter just as much as tread depth. A car that looks beautifully preserved can still be riding on aged tires, so calendar age should always stay part of the decision.

Tires on a 1978 Bentley deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more deliberate inspection before any longer outing. Check air pressure, sidewall condition, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and any signs that the car is beginning to pull, shimmy, or ride differently than usual. On an older luxury sedan, small changes in feel often show up before a visible failure does.

Seasonal inspections are also worthwhile even if the car is driven sparingly. Include the spare, valve stems, and the inner sidewalls if the wheels are off the car. Catching age cracks or pressure loss early is especially important on a collector Bentley, where long periods of inactivity can hide deterioration until the next event or road trip.

A 1978 Bentley T2 Series falls squarely into the radial era, and the correct fitment family here is HR70-15. By the late 1970s, a luxury car of this type was expected to use radial construction rather than the bias-ply designs associated with earlier decades. That makes the size and construction pairing itself one of the most important authenticity markers.

Owners pursuing a highly accurate restoration should still confirm market-specific details through Bentley specialists, factory literature, or marque clubs, especially if the car has an unusual delivery history. The key takeaway is that a 1978 T2 Series should look and feel like a radial-equipped late-1970s Bentley first, with sidewall presentation and brand character considered after that baseline is established.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1978 Bentley because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall treatment suit the car’s year and character. On a Bentley T2 Series, an incorrect overall look can stand out quickly because the car’s formal proportions and restrained styling make wheel-and-tire presentation unusually visible.

For most shows, the biggest concerns are using the proper size family, keeping the radial-era appearance appropriate to 1978, and avoiding a sidewall style that looks too modern for the car. Event standards vary, so owners aiming for serious judging should compare their tire choice against period photography and seek guidance from Bentley clubs or marque specialists before finalizing the car.

The sidewall is a major visual element on a 1978 Bentley because the T2 Series wears formal bodywork and substantial wheel openings that naturally draw attention to the tire’s profile. Even when the size is correct, a sidewall style that feels too modern, too sporty, or too visually busy can disturb the balanced, understated appearance that gives the car its proper period presence.

Owners restoring for authenticity should treat sidewall choice as part of the car’s overall presentation, not as a minor cosmetic detail. The right look helps the Bentley read as a late-1970s Crewe luxury car, while the wrong one can make an otherwise careful restoration feel out of step. Comparing options against period sales material is often time well spent.

A properly built, correctly sized HR70-15 tire in sound condition can be suitable for normal highway use on a 1978 Bentley, provided the tire is inflated correctly and the rest of the car is equally roadworthy. Safety on a car like the Bentley T2 Series depends on the whole system: tire age, wheel condition, suspension condition, brake performance, and alignment all matter alongside the tire itself.

That broader view is especially important with a collector luxury sedan, because an old tire can look usable long after age has reduced its margin of safety. Before sustained highway driving, confirm that the tires are recent enough, free of cracking or structural damage, and matched to wheels in proper condition. A fresh inspection is more valuable than assumptions based on tread depth alone.

Inflation pressure on a 1978 Bentley should follow the vehicle’s factory recommendation for the Bentley T2 Series and the tire manufacturer’s own guidance for the exact HR70-15 tire being used. Pressure should never be guessed from appearance alone, and it should not be borrowed from a different size or a modern car simply because the wheel diameter happens to match.

Start with the original Bentley reference point, then confirm that the chosen tire’s service information supports that use. If the car is carrying unusual weight, traveling at sustained speed, or operating with a heavily aged suspension setup, pressure accuracy becomes even more important. A good gauge and regular checks will do more for ride quality and tire life than occasional visual checks ever can.

Before a longer drive in a 1978 Bentley, inspect each HR70-15 tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure the wheels are clean and free from issues that could affect sealing or balance. A tire that has held air in the garage can still be a poor candidate for a long outing if age is showing in the sidewalls.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive check on a Bentley T2 Series, including brakes, steering, suspension, and fluid condition. Long-wheelbase comfort and quietness can mask developing problems until the car is already at speed, so a careful walk-around is worthwhile. On a collector car, confidence comes from recent inspection, not from how gently the last trip went.