Lot 234: 1956 Bentley S1 Saloon

‘The Bentley ‘S’ Series is a very attractive car with superb lines, appearance and finish. It costs a lot of money, but to the connoisseur who must have the best it is worth every penny. This will still be a glorious car in 45 years’ time, just as my own 1911 Silver Ghost is today.’ - John Bolster, Autosport, 1956.
Conceived as replacements for the ageing Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley R-Type, the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type were introduced early in 1955. The duo sported sleeker bodywork on a new box-section separate chassis - Rolls-Royce eschewing unitary construction for the time being - incorporating improved brakes and suspension, the latter featuring electrically controlled damping. Enlargement to 4,887cc and the adoption of a six-port cylinder head boosted the traditionally undisclosed power output of the dependable inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, which for the first time was identical in specification in its Rolls and Bentley forms. Automatic transmission was now standard equipment, with manual transmission a Bentley-only option up to 1957. Fast - 100mph-plus - relatively economical and cheaper to maintain than the successor V8-engined versions, the classically elegant S1 is arguably the most user-friendly of all post-war Bentleys.
Offered for sale by a Bentley collector, this beautiful S1 underwent extensive restoration to an exemplary standard in 2000 and has been kept in dehumidified storage since completion. Finished in green with biscuit leather interior, the car is presented in concours condition and offered with current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5 document. Although not to hand at time of cataloguing, its substantial history file, including restoration invoices, will be available for inspection at time of sale.