Lot 08: Bentley S1 Saloon

When Bentley introduced its new S-Type in 1955, the imperious saloon drew gasps of admiration from the motoring press. 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, stated Autocar. "The S-Type is a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances and delivers the occupants well-nigh as fresh as when they started."Retrospectively known as the S1, it was a much more imposing car than the R-Type that it replaced which was really a late '40s design from the steel rationing era. A greatly strengthened chassis provided 50 per cent more torsional rigidity than the outgoing model and the suspension and triple line braking were also improved.Power came from an enlarged version of the old six cylinder, overhead inlet/sidevalve exhaust type head, now in 4.9-litre form as pioneered in the Bentley R-Type Continental and good for an easy 110mph. Most cars had a four speed automatic gearbox and much needed power steering was available from 1956. The beautiful shape of the S1 used the car's length to its full advantage with the interior featuring all of the usual appointments expected from Crewe's finest.In the current ownership since 1994, this 1957 model had ony 72,000 miles on the clock when purchased and has done less than 3,000 miles since. Recently treated to a new exhaust, a starter motor rebuild, a full brake overhaul and a new set of tyres, the car is said to run very well and has an MOT until June 2007.