1959 Bentley S-Type Continental Sports Saloon

Footnotes

Described by The Autocar as, 'A new stage in the evolution of the post-war Bentley,' the 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 six-cylinder cars, the all-new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type, the Continental lost some of its individuality but none of its exclusivity. Eulogising about Bentley's new 'S' series cars, introduced in April 1955, The 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 said of the H J Mulliner-styled fastback, which was the quickest four/five-seater saloon of its day. The Bentley 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 of the Bentley came with a 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 S-Type Continental chassis being among the era's most stylish. Tested by Autocar, the S-Type Continental was found to have a top speed slightly in excess of 120mph, making faster than the vast majority of out-and-out sports cars.

Of the 431 Bentley S-Type Continentals produced between 1955 and 1959, 185 were bodied by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder, Park Ward Ltd, of which 122 were right-hand drive like this example. Chassis number 'BC24GN' was delivered new via Bloomers of Grimsby to Mrs M Dixon of Kenwick Hall, Louth, Lincolnshire. A very late example (only seven S-Type Continentals were built subsequently) it benefits from the high-compression engine, power steering, and the larger rear window. The Bentley was delivered with the additional 'extras' of India Speed Special tubeless tyres, high frequency horns, and the purchaser's own 'Salmon' mascot. The Continental was finished in a Steel Blue with beige leather interior.

The Bentley's history for the next 30 years is unrecorded, but at some time it was exported to the USA. The next documented owner is Limited Edition Leasing of New York (1989). At this time the Continental was purchased by P J Fischer Classic Automobiles and brought back to the UK. Messrs Fischer then extensively restored the car, completing over £4,500 worth of mechanical work, while in excess of 300 man-hours was expended on the cosmetic refurbishment, which included a re-spray in Shell Grey over Tudor Grey (the original, patinated beige interior has been retained).

The Bentley's next owner, Mr Peter Barnick of Dulwich, South London, acquired the car in 1994. At time of purchase he commissioned the installation of modern seatbelts front and rear. Mr Barnick used the car at weekends and for touring over the next four years, covering some 3,000 miles. During his ownership, the Bentley was serviced by P J Fischer at their workshops in Putney, South London (service records on file).

The current vendor purchased 'BC24GN' from Peter Harnick in 1999. He had the Bentley re-sprayed in its original Steel Blue livery by the well-respected specialists Classic Motor Cars in Antwerp, Belgium, while the engine was rebuilt by Brabo in Holland, another highly thought-of specialist. Bills for these works are on file, and the car also comes complete with jack and tool kit. The sensible provisions of air conditioning and the aforementioned seat belts are the only notified deviations from factory specification.

The ultimate in high-speed luxury in its day, this last-of-the-line model has the best specification and is presented in truly beautiful condition.