Lot 42: 1964 BENTLEY S3 CONTINENTAL

The vendor, Chairman of a major Motor Group and an avid Bentley collector with no less than three RREC concours winners in his collection, became the latest owner in October 2000, since when the car has been in receipt of a major rebuild claimed to have cost in the region of ú60,000. We understand major body restoration has been carried out to include refurbished front wings and new rear wings. Both outer and inner sills have been replaced, as have all inner wheel housings and inner valances, while the flooring has been refurbished. On completion of the work, the bodywork was then was given a full bare metal respray in Rolls-Royce metallic blue, which is said to be excellent. The vendor tells us that the automatic gearbox has been overhauled, the current condition of the three-speed transmission being described as excellent. In addition, the brakes have been fully overhauled, with all drums shot-blasted and refurbished and master cylinders and brake servo overhauled. Among other work carried out, the water pump has been renewed, the radiator refurbished, the rear springs overhauled and new gaiters fitted. The windscreen has been replaced, the radiator grill, bumpers and over-riders re-chromed, the woodwork refurbished and a new set of Wilton carpets fitted. The leather in grey and blue is said currently to be very good. Indeed, with the 6230cc eight-cylinder engine reportedly in excellent order, too, the vehicle is now ready, we are told, to compete in marque rally days and concours events. New potential owners are advised to check out a very well stocked file of documents, which include MOT certificates going back for virtually the last thirty years and which may be inspected along with all the paperwork accompanying vehicles being auctioned today in our documents office at the Buxton sale venue. The old MOTs confirm mileage figures over the years for this car with the vendor claiming that the around 49,000 miles displayed when entered for this sale is likely to be the genuine total mileage. Both the current MOT test pass certificate as well as the tax-free licence disc will be valid until January of next year. This auction lot represents a rare opportunity for clients to acquire what an inspection will confirm is a truly outstanding example of what was and still is one of the world's most sought after marques and do so at a fraction of the refurbishment cost.