1965 Bentley S3 Continental James Young Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: EYT835C
Chassis No: BC46XE
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012

By 1955, Rolls-Royce felt increasingly less need to visually differentiate its own models from the Bentley-badged ones. The Bentley S1 that replaced the R-Type model was therefore basically a Silver Cloud I behind the distinctive `Flying B' radiator grille. It was also the last Bentley powered by the company's venerable 150bhp 4.9-litre straight-six engine. The newcomer retained a separate chassis and body, facilitating the manufacture of coachbuilt versions. Even so, the vast majority of S1s were delivered with the standard steel one. Suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and by live axle and semi-elliptic units at the rear. Braking was by servo-assisted drums all-round.

Notably improved performance arrived with the S2 model of 1959, when the straight-six engine was finally pensioned off in favour of a new, all-alloy 6.2-litre V8 unit. This helped raise the top speed to some 115mph and greatly enhanced acceleration. Power steering became standard and electrically operated windows an option. The model's final iteration was the S3. Introduced at the Paris Salon of October 1962, it featured a more contemporary 1.5 inch lower bonnet line, different grille and four headlamps. The interior modifications included individual seats for the front occupants and increased legroom for those in the rear. Engine power was raised by seven percent, mainly through a hike in compression ratio from 8:1 to 9:1 and the fitting of larger carburettors. The new exhaust system had no less than three acoustic stainless steel silencers, each tuned to absorb a different range of frequencies, so that `only the ticking of the clock could be heard'! The net result of these mechanical changes was a further improvement in acceleration and a loftier top speed of 117mph - all of which was achieved with no deterioration in economy.

The tradition of superb craftsmanship was retained, as was that of using only the best materials - grade one Connolly hide for the trim and French walnut veneer for the facia and garnish rails. In order to ensure the desired level of silence, insulation was installed at every likely point of vibration, leading the brochure to read `the only point of connection between the body and the chassis is the speedometer cable'!

For the first time, the chassis of the Continental variants was identical to the standard one, but featured a slightly higher axle ratio of 2.92:1, four shoes per drum in the front brakes and wider section tyres; all of which was in consideration of the higher speeds at which these variants tended to be driven. Unlike the steel bodies of the standard Saloon, those of the coachbuilt Continentals were fashioned from aluminium, and the considerable reduction in weight that afforded resulted in the type of notably more sporting drive Continental customers had grown to expect. A total of 311 Bentley S3 Continentals were made - 291 by the Rolls-Royce-owned Mulliner Park Ward and 20 by James Young. Needless to say there was a price to pay for the bespoke nature of these fine cars, and on average they cost some 40 to 50 percent more than the standard offering. Of course the good news is that they tend to be worth considerably more again in today's market.

This right-hand drive, home market S3 Continental Saloon (chassis BC46XE) was built in 1965 and is the very last of the 20 examples produced by James Young - a coachbuilder generally considered to have been responsible for some of the most handsome and restrained interpretations of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motorcars. The chassis was evidently delivered to them on April 2nd 1965 (interestingly, the specification note read, `This chassis must not be despatched without radiator or mascot'). The completed car was subsequently delivered to London Bentley dealer Jack Barclay on August 24th. Their customer was one Rex Maikin - the Liverpool lawyer most famous for his involvement with the Beatles and such high profile cases as the Hillsborough and Heysel stadium disasters, and the man credited with coining the word `Beatlemania'. The second and so far only other keeper was a Mr R. Way of Way Carriers Ltd, who purchased it from Mann Egerton & Co's Wimbledon establishment on January 2nd 1968. Invoices on file for the period of his tenure suggest it was properly looked after throughout.

This most elegant of motorcars features Seychelles Blue Metallic coachwork teamed with a Navy Blue leather interior. The vendor is satisfied it is a genuine, matching numbers, two owner vehicle, whose history apparently supports the indicated mileage of just 69,353, and has no hesitation in describing the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission as all "superb". The Bentley has just been treated to a general mechanical and gearbox service and is said to "drive great". It is now being sold complete with comprehensive history file that includes factory build sheet records, copies of the new and used vehicle warranties and sundry invoices through the years.

By the time of the sale, `EYT 835C' will also have a fresh MOT and be thoroughly ready to cosset its next keeper in the way only a Continental can.

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor informs us that this lot has had just over £10,500 spent on it recently including a thorough transmission overhaul in the last two weeks.