1959 Bentley S1 Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: 27 DXW
Chassis No: B553FD
Mot Expiry: July 2012

The Bentley S1 was unveiled in April 1955. A very different car from its predecessors, it was both longer and wider and based on a much stiffer chassis of 16-gauge closed box-section design, complete with cruciform centre bracing. Though the car's traditional body-on-chassis construction facilitated the manufacture of special-bodied versions, the vast majority were delivered with the standard offering produced by Pressed Steel Ltd, that featured weight saving alloy doors, bonnet and boot lid. Like its forebears, the S1 was equipped with a centralised pedal operated chassis lubrication system. The newcomer was powered by the final iteration of the company's venerable 4.9-litre straight six engine - it featured revised cylinder-head porting and produced 178bhp. As standard, the unit drove through a four-speed automatic gearbox with steering column control and kick-down change, (though some ten S1s were fitted with a special order manual unit instead). Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs and employed a leaf-spring mounted live axle at the rear, complete with electrically operated adjustable damping. Braking was by drums all round with servo-assisted hydraulic operation at the front and hydro/mechanical operation at the rear. Steering was by cam and roller, with later cars featuring power assistance. A Radiomobile 200X radio was part of the car's standard equipment. For the first time since 1933 the radiator cap was not mounted on top of the radiator shell - in its place sat a winged `B' mascot. S1s were offered with a choice of wheelbase - 10ft 3in or 10ft 7in. Of the total of 3,107 examples produced between 1955 and 1959, 35 featured the longer wheelbase and 157 were fitted with coachbuilt bodies in place of the standard one. The price at introduction ranged from circa £4,669 to £6,894 depending on specification. The model could accelerate to 60mph in around 14.2 seconds and just exceed the magic 100mph barrier.

The S1 being sold is a right-hand drive example equipped with the standard steel body and left the factory in 1959. It is finished in Tudor Grey over Shell and trimmed in Blue/Grey leather. The Bentley's previous owner apparently retained the car for ten years, during which time it was treated to extensive maintenance by the Roman Garage group. '27 DXW' was acquired by its current keeper in circa 2006, since when it has seen very little use. He considers the bodywork and paintwork to be "average", and the trim, engine and automatic transmission to be "good". The Bentley comes with fresh tax and MOT.

PLEASE NOTE: We have been informed that this vehicle has recently had the shock absorbers re-conditioned, a Harvey-Bailey handling kit fitted, the bumpers re-chromed by Derby Plating and the woodwork re-lacquered by City Polishers.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until July 2012.