Close window
Print details

Bentley S1 Saloon

Bentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 Saloon
Bentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 Saloon
Bentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 Saloon
Bentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 SaloonBentley S1 Saloon
Lot number 7
Hammer value £4,700
Description Bentley S1 Saloon
Registration UUH 654
Year 1957
Colour Silver/Grey
Engine size 4,887 cc
Chassis No. B394.EG
Engine No. BE197

When Bentley introduced its new S-Type in 1955, the imperious saloon 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."

Retrospectively known as the S1, it was a much larger and more imposing car than the R-Type that it replaced. A greatly strengthened chassis provided 50 per cent more torsional rigidity than the outgoing model and the suspension and braking were also improved. Power came from an enlarged version of the silky smooth six-cylinder engine pioneered in the Bentley R-Type Continental, now in 4.9-litre form and driving through a four-speed automatic gearbox which could propel the car to three-figure speeds with ease. The beautiful shape of the S1 used the car's length to its full advantage with the interior featuring all of the usual appointments expected from Crewe's finest. The vast majority of the 3,107 S1 Saloons produced until it was replaced by the S2 in 1959 were given standard bodywork mass-produced by the Pressed Steel Company, as here.

First registered in May 1957, this particular S1 was last on the road in 1990 and has been in storage since, although the engine has been started and run occasionally, the last time about two weeks ago when fresh fuel was added and the oil changed. The red leather interior is in reasonable shape but the bodywork is now in need of substantial restoration. The car comes with a small amount of history including an old log book from 1976 when it belonged to a Dr William Cox of London N20, an old MOT from 1986, a tax disc from 1990, a modern V5 and the original owner’s handbook. A virtually full tool kit is also still present in the boot. A nice winter project for someone, it is being sold here strictly as viewed.

 

Close window
Print details