Lot 259: 1960 Bentley S2

To many connoisseurs the Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars of the Fifties and early Sixties were the last cars displaying the traditional craftsmanship for which Rolls-Royce had become world-famous. Their separate chassis allowed an uncommon elegance of coachwork design, either by the Crewe factory itself or by independent coachbuilders such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward and James Young; the unitary construction of body and chassis of all subsequent models all but ended such a traditional association. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S series, announced in April 1955, employed such a chassis, to which was mounted Standard Steel coachwork. Incorporating coil spring/wishbone front suspension with semi-elliptic rear springs and a single radius arm to locate the live rear axle, it also featured centralised lubrication and all-round drum brakes. The 110mph Silver Cloud II/S2 models of 1959 used Rolls' new light alloy V8 engine but otherwise differed only in having long life chassis lubrication, standard power steering, increased front braking effect, a reduction in rear roll stiffness, a new ventilation system and a revised facia.The S2 offered here is finished in smoke over sage with green leather interior and is described by the vendor to be in good condition. The car has had three owners from new and comes with a history file containing the last ten MOT's and the original hand book. The car is complemented with a complete tool kit and current MOT valid until February 2006.Estimate £11,000 - £13,000