1956 Bentley S-Type Continental Sports Saloon

Coachwork by Park Ward Registration no. VOJ 502 Chassis no. BC37AF

Footnotes

Bentley's magnificent Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952. With the arrival of the final generation of Rolls-Royce Ltd's six-cylinder cars - the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type - the Continental lost some of its individuality but none of its exclusivity. Eulogising about the new S-Type, introduced in April 1955, Autocar wrote, '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.'

Later, in October that same year, the Bentley Continental became available on the 'S' chassis. 'It brings Bentley back to the forefront of the world's fastest cars,' Autocar remarked of the H J Mulliner-styled fastback which, arguably, was the quickest four/five-seater saloon of its day. The S-Type's new box-section chassis incorporated improved brakes and suspension and an enlarged (to 4,887cc) and more powerful version of the existing inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, which for the first time was identical in specification in its Rolls and Bentley forms. The Continental version came with shorter radiator and higher gearing and, for a time at least, could be ordered with right-hand 'change, manual transmission.

As had been the case with the original R-Type, the new S-Type Continental was only ever available as a coachbuilt car, the designs produced by independent coachbuilders for the S1 Continental chassis being among the era's most stylish. The firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward, James Young, and Hooper all offered bodies on the Continental chassis. Of these four, James Young and Hooper would soon cease coachbuilding, leaving only Mulliner and Park Ward to carry on a noble tradition. Consolidating its in-house coachbuilding capability, Rolls-Royce purchased H J Mulliner in 1959 and two years later the firm was merged with Park Ward, which had been acquired in 1939. H J Mulliner bodied the majority of S-Type Continentals (218 cars) with Park Ward responsible for 185 of the remaining 213.

Of the 101 cars in the original ('AF') sequence of chassis numbers, 'BC37AF' is one of 83 built in right-hand drive configuration. Completed by Park Ward with two-door aluminium coachwork, the Continental was delivered to its first owner, one H Tipper, in May 1956 and originally carried the registration 'NOM 3'.
Having been cherished over a long period of time by its previous owner, the Bentley has very recently benefited from over 250 hours of work to bring it up to scratch. The following work was professionally carried out: a lower-half re-spray (including painting the bonnet underside in khaki); engine bay fully stripped and soda blasted, then fully painted in black, including all ancillaries; all engine gaskets replaced and carburettors rebuilt; all hoses changed for new OE replacements; and all nickel plating stripped, polished and re-plated, including all small tools. In addition, the stainless steel hub caps were professionally polished, and the beauty rings painted and correctly coach-lined, following which the wheels were shod with new tyres.

New parts fitted include period-correct Bentley headlamps; rear-half stainless steel exhaust system; Lumenition electronic ignition; and a 16" Kenlowe two-speed electric fan. The crankshaft pulley has been replaced with a twin pulley should a future owner wish to have air conditioning fitted at a later stage.
'BC37AF' is resplendent in Caribbean Blue metallic with new St James' Red leather upholstery and deep red Wilton carpets. The interior has been refurbished with West of England cloth headlining in a light grey, and the boot area newly re-trimmed in light grey carpet with matching piping to the edges. All veneers have been stripped and re-French polished. The original radio has been fully rebuilt and converted to incorporate an iPod connection, discretely hidden in the glove box. Finally, the Continental has had a full service, a brake overhaul, and a full overhaul of the power steering system. Stunning in appearance and said to drive superbly, it is now ready to stretch its legs on any European rally.

The substantial history file's contents include factory build details, DVLA history search results, a V5 registration document, and an MoT certificate valid until July 2017. With most S-Type Continentals in private collections, they are seldom seen on the road and only rarely offered for sale. This wonderful example is worthy of any collection and will bring great pride to its next discerning owner.