1956 | Bentley S 1

Successor to the R-Type, the Bentley S1 was introduced in 1955 with a whole new chassis; the car's wheelbase had been extended 3" to 123", and the luggage compartment was expanded. The S1 had softer suspension than the R-Type, with electrically controlled rear shock absorbers. Brakes had been improved, and the steering was lighter. This model marked the final integration of Bentley with Rolls-Royce - the standard saloons were now entirely alike, but for grilles and badging. The engine was Rolls' 4887cc F-head six, in its final configuration before the introduction of V8 power in 1959. Manual gearboxes were supplied only to special order. The British Magazine, the Motor reported a top speed of 103 mph and 0-60 acceleration of 13.1 seconds from a short-wheelbase S1 in 1957.

This S1 Bentley has previously been restored with huge amounts of money spent. It left the factory in May 1956 and was sold to its first owner via the Bristol Motor Company, to a Lt Col Stewart Pitman on 14th June 1956. It has been the subject of a bare metal repaint in its original and very attractive Velvet Green which looks superb, and the interior has been lavished with superb new Beige leather upholstery with matching piping, new Thorn Herd cloth headlining and carpets. Its walnut woodwork, all having been beautifully restored, looks very well as does all of the brightwork, every piece of which has been re-chromed much as one would expect for a restoration project. There is a photographic history of its body off restoration showing every step of the work carried out. Since the restoration the Bentley has been dry stored in a bespoke storage facility and used sparingly ever since. As such, any prospective buyer should factor in some general recommissioning before use. We believe the Bentley S1 is one of the best-looking models produced by the British motor company, having only had six owners from new and being a matching numbers example, this Bentley is an opportunity not to be missed. Consigned by Daniel Godin