Registration No: JWB 743C
Chassis No: B6HN
Mot Expiry: Exempt

• Older restoration, still presenting very well
• Highly original interior with recently reconditioned walnut trim
• Finished in attractive Midnight Blue over Georgian Silver

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 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 special-bodied versions. Even so, the vast majority were delivered with the standard steel one. Suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and by live axle and semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Braking was by servo-assisted drums all-round. Improved performance arrived with the S2 model of 1959, when the straight-six engine was finally 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 model's final iteration was the S3. Introduced in 1962, it featured a lower bonnet line, different grille and twin headlamps. The interior modifications included individual seats for the front occupants and increased legroom for those in the rear. Engine power was increased by seven per cent. Some 1,630 S3s were produced between 1962 and 1966.

The S3 on offer is a 1965 example refinished in the particularly attractive colour combination of Midnight Blue over Georgian Silver and teamed with a Cream leather interior. The car was first registered on the 1st of February 1965 to the Sheffield area - denoted by the "WB" registration - originally finished in Green and was kept and used by the previous owner for over 40 years who changed the colour to the combination shown today. The V5C registration document shows there have been four former keepers. The vendor bought the car as part of a job lot in 2019 along with a number of other Bentley and Rolls Royce motor cars and in his ownership the car has benefitted from a full service of all fluids and filters and a general check out for oil leaks. In the history file, we find a number of previous MOT certificates dating back to 2004 and the odometer reading currently stands at 50,772 miles.

On inspection, the car presents well externally in its attractive colour scheme and the paintwork looks to have been done professionally in the car's past with a minimal amount of ageing as expected from a car of this age - with just some minimal bubbling appearing on the very bottom of the offside rear quarter panel. There are two dents that have not cracked the paintwork on the passenger side front door and the driver’s side engine cowling that would be very easy to sort out. The vendor advises that the car is overall quite solid however there are some areas underneath that may need some attention at some point in the future.

The fantastic Bentley 6230cc V8 engine appears to run very smoothly without noticeable mechanical noise and the transmission engages and moves the car forwards and backwards smoothly with good changes between the gears. The brakes appear to also be in good condition and stop the car promptly when called upon, with the servo making pedal depression an easier task. The power steering also feels light and gives confidence during use. The interior is particularly attractive and the vendor advised he has refreshed the gorgeous walnut trim to a good standard to the tune of over £3000 which is obvious on inspection. The cream leather seats have been re-connollised recently and display a beautiful patina that shows a good standard of originality. The carpets appear to be original and in good condition apart from a small area around the driver’s footwell.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430