Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur

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When Bentley introduced its new S-Type Standard Steel saloon in 1955, the imperious machine drew gasps of admiration from the motoring press. “The latest Bentley model offers a degree of safety, comfort and performance that is beyond the experience – and perhaps even the imagination – of the majority of the world’s motorists,” gushed Autocar. "It's a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances and delivers the occupants well-nigh as fresh as when they started."

Powered initially by a 4.9-litre straight-six, this was replaced with a much more effective all-alloy 6.2-litre V8 in the S2 model which appeared in 1959. Power steering and a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic gearbox came as standard. Startlingly rapid for a stately home on wheels, it could surge to 60mph in under 12 seconds on its way to a top speed of 115mph – performance that could embarrass many contemporary sports cars.

However, for the really well-heeled driver, Bentley also made available a Continental version of the S-Type which featured all-aluminium bodywork and revised gearing to create a continent-crushing limousine that had no equal. At first the Continental was only available as a two-door, but by 1957 customer demand led HJ Mulliner, via their designer Herbert Nye, to develop a four-door version called the Flying Spur.

More streamlined, low-slung and sporty than the rather slab-sided standard saloon, it also had an even finer interior with opulent veneers, a bigger boot and a price tag that only film stars and business tycoons could contemplate – Cary Grant, Jayne Mansfield and Harry Belafonte being typical Continental clientele. In all, just 282 Bentley Continental Flying Spurs were made, only 113 of them in S2 guise and only 64 of these in right-hand drive.

As the factory build sheets confirm, BC81AR was built to order in 1960 for GCV Brittain Esq. of Cultra Manor, Craigavad, Co Down, a motoring tycoon who had made his fortune importing and assembling BMC vehicles for the Irish market. Finished in Midnight Blue with a red leather interior, special options included bucket front seats with armrests, electric windows, flame cut walnut veneers with a raised lip on top of the dash (“to prevent small objects sliding off”), a pull-out tray under the centre of the dash, Blue Spot radio with additional speakers and electric aerial plus an illuminated Jaeger clock which was specially transferred from the R-Type Continental which Brittain traded in against the Flying Spur.

It then had half-a-dozen further owners including a heart surgeon, Donald Longmore OBE, who recalled how he bought the car on a whim after experiencing how startlingly rapid it was compared to his Rover 3500S, recounting how he was once challenged to a race by Spitfire pilot Tony Bianchi in his new Ferrari at Booker Airfield in Bucks. BC81AR proved so quick off the mark that it shot into the lead and stayed there until the race was brought to a halt by the airfield police!

Our vendor acquired the Bentley 17 years ago from a gentleman who had owned it since 1977 and had lavished much money on the car, including a full engine and gearbox rebuild in 1987 at 148,000 miles (invoices on file). It then languished unused and in storage until our vendor rescued it in 2002, sharing ownership with a friend until 2008. A highly qualified engineer and insurance assessor, he set about a thorough recommissioning to ready it for continental touring.

Since it was returned to the road in 2004 it has always been in regular use, clocking up a further 58,000 miles, mainly on long distance European tours with fellow RREC members, and also being invited to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2011 (these cars really do open doors for their fortunate owners!).

Impeccably maintained by our fastidious vendor, it has enjoyed a continuous process of improvement including a bare-metal repaint in Oxford Blue in 2010 (photos on file), and a full interior refurbishment in 2012 including professional renovation of the glorious interior woodwork, sympathetic refreshment of the original red leather trim, upgraded LED instrument lights and a rebuild of Brittain’s precious Jaeger clock which still keeps perfect time. All five tyres have also been recently renewed along with the exhaust system, headlights, starter motor, engine mountings, power steering, brakes – you get the picture!

The vendor reports that it drives beautifully, has never let him down and averages 16mpg - 19mpg on a run. It certainly performed wonderfully when we were treated to an extended test drive on the occasion of our visit with a whisper-quiet engine and exemplary ride quality on the pot-holed tracks that masquerade as the Queen’s Highway these days.

Supplied with a large and interesting history file from new, it also comes with an original owner’s handbook, all its tools (small and large) plus an MOT valid until July 2019 with no advisories recorded. Thoroughly sorted and sympathetically refurbished, this rare and aristocratic four-door Bentley is ready for a lucky new owner to drive home today.