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Bentley S3 Saloon

Bentley  S3 Saloon

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Bentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 Saloon
Bentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 Saloon
Bentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 Saloon
Bentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 Saloon
Bentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 SaloonBentley  S3 Saloon
Bentley  S3 Saloon
Lot number 163
Hammer value £22,000
Description Bentley S3 Saloon
Registration 769 ACA
Year 1964
Colour Black/Silver
Engine size 6,230 cc
Chassis No. B212EC
Engine No. BEC106
Documents V5C; MOT May 2016; service invoices; handbook; Harrods log; five old MOTs

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. 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.

Things got even better in October 1962 with the launch of the S3 at the Paris Motor Show. The S3 was outwardly very similar to the S2, the most obvious difference being the impressive quad-headlamp layout that paved the way for the radically new Bentley T1 in 1965. The interior was modified with individual seats for front passengers and increased leg room in the rear. It also had a higher compression engine and twin 2-inch SU carbs which added another 15bhp and reduced the 0-60 dash to under 11 seconds. Power steering and a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic gearbox now came as standard.

Production of the Bentley S3 included 1,286 on the standard chassis and a further 32 long wheelbase versions. The final S3 was delivered in 1966, when the new (and much less imposing) Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-series became available.

Little is known of the early history of this 1964 S3 which has presumably spent most of its life abroad as it was not UK registered until August 1998 with four owners since then. From 2002 until 2010 it was owned by the Beauty Department of Harrods in Knightsbridge where it was used to ferry VIP clients around the capital (many of these journeys being recorded in a log book kept by the chauffeurs, along with the names and comments of their passengers, which was found in the glove box).

Although the car comes with very little by way of service history, one presumes that Harrods kept it in very good order and it has clearly been well restored and repainted at some point in the not-too-distant past. It has also been fitted with satellite navigation, air conditioning and a CD player, again presumably for the benefit of the Harrods VIPs. (Interestingly, an original owner’s handbook contains the signature of one GH Henderson of Troon along with the number EHH 29 which may hint at the first owner of the car and its original Carlisle-issued registration number, although an online check shows that this number plate now adorns a modern car.)

The current owner acquired the car through a Bonhams auction in the summer of 2010 and promptly handed it over to a marque specialist for a thorough check over to rectify any faults which resulted in a rebuilt differential, a full brake overhaul, new engine mountings, rebuilt rear shock absorbers, a full service plus a few other minor items at a cost of almost £7,000 (bills on file). Since then the car has covered very few miles, being used on special occasions only, and is said to drive superbly with an MOT until May 2016. A battery cut-off switch is concealed in the boot and a key fob operated alarm/immobiliser has also been installed for added security.

Appearing to be in very nice condition throughout and performing beautifully on a short test drive with notably effective brakes and effortless power steering, this aristocratic machine is being offered here at little more than the price of a humdrum Mk2 Jaguar and looks like a huge amount of car for the money.

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