Lot details Registration No: ASL 634 Chassis No: B724CU Mot Expiry: June 2013
By 1955, Rolls-Royce felt increasingly less need to visually differentiate between its own models and its 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.
The S1 was the last of the marque to employ the company's venerable 150bhp 4.9-litre straight-six engine, whose roots could be traced back to the vintage era Rolls-Royce 20. This was mated to a four-speed automatic or optional four-speed manual transmission. The newcomer was built along traditional lines with a separate chassis and body, which facilitated the manufacture of coachbuilt versions. However, the vast majority were delivered with the Standard Steel one that featured alloy doors, bonnet and boot lid. The suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and featured a live axle attached to semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. Braking was by servo-assisted drums all round. Greatly improved performance arrived with the S2 model of 1959, when the straight-six engine was pensioned off in favour of a new 6.2-litre aluminium V8 unit. This raised the top speed to some 114mph and greatly enhanced acceleration. Power steering became standard and electrically operated windows an option.
The right-hand drive, home market Standard Steel-bodied S2 being offered is finished in Black over Silver complemented by Red leather upholstery. The previous owner retained the Bentley for 13 years and apparently invested no less than £30,000 on it during that time - the extensive history file includes photos of the body restoration, and the automatic gearbox was overhauled 1,500 miles (two years) ago. The vendor currently describes the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim and engine as "very good" and the refurbished gearbox as "excellent". The odometer presently displays an unwarranted 50,828 miles and 'ASL 634' is MOT'd into June of next year.
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