1960 Bentley S2 Continental H.J. Mulliner Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: 280 PPO
Chassis No: BC147AR
Mot Expiry: June 2004

When Bentley introduced their first S Series model in 1956, the motoring press enthused that the new car offered "a degree of safety, comfort and performance that is beyond the experience and imagination of the world's motorists...which rose as a magic carpet, annihilating great distance." The S1 was certainly a huge improvement on previous products from the Crewe works, providing enhanced comfort, elegance, performance and roadholding.
Even more desirable, however, was the 2-door Continental version with its flamboyant and sporting styling; a 120mph luxury supercar, which provided the British firm with a really effective alternative to the best that the foreign competition could produce - here, at last, was a truly British Grand Tourer. Above all, and in the opinion of many commentators then and since, the coachwork by H J Mulliner, was a landmark design, never surpassed even to this day.
We understand from the owner of this 1960-built Bentley S2 Continental that the Mulliner-crafted coupe was acquired by him 1995, having already been restored by leading specialists Healey Brothers in 1991. The 2-door bodywork, leather trimmed upholstery in Slate Blue and Oxford Blue paintwork were all refurbished, and are described as being currently excellent, whilst the 6230cc 8-cylinder engine and automatic transmission were rebuilt by Cheshire engineers Dyers. In addition, the brakes have been fully overhauled and a new servo fitted, the tyres are good and the windscreen was renewed only this year.