1955 Bentley S 1 Continental

1955 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner.

Chassis Number: BC3AF

Registration Number: 575GWC

Absolutely brand new nut & bolt fully restored condition over a 7 year period. It is impossible to describe in words how well this car has been restored & how well it drives. Simply put I have never driven a better example from this era. We get to drive & handle many so called "Restored" examples but this one really is better then when it was new & provides an amazing driving experience in complete silence along with a powerful engine & one of the smoothest & most seamless gear boxes I have come across.

The paintwork is pristine midnight blue & silver two tone; a scheme that suits the car admirably. To the interior is mushroom leather along with blue carpets & mirror polished burr walnut wood work. Some 500 shakedown miles have been covered in the car post restoration.

BC3AF started its life as the first of the HJ Mulliner 2 Door Saloon Bodied Cars in the S1 Series, as confirmed by Ian Scott of WO Bentley Memorial Foundation owned and displayed by Bentley under the Bentley numberplate 31BM78 (see attached photographs and confirmation) on the 30th of September 1955.

First owner - Jack Barclay Ltd / MH Ferguson.

This original matching numbers now fully restored fastback, by the well-known Lee Kenworthy of Kenworthy and Co. Vintage Motorworks Ltd. is now complete with a full 7-year bottom-up restoration to its former glory and originality. (See attached recent photographs of the car in its new completed restoration state).

BC3AF has had a few well-known owners in its lifetime, one being the renowned and famous British actor, Peter Sellers. (See attached list of previous owners prior to leaving the UK for South Africa)

BC3AF was finally sold by Frank Dale & Stepsons Ltd and shipped in June of 1984 to Bloemfontein, South Africa under the ownership of the well-known South African vintage car collector, the late Mr. W Greyvensteyn and then finally acquired by Mr. Nigel Sedgwick (Cape Town, South Africa) who in turn has had the car fully restored by Kenworthy and Co. Vintage Motorworks Ltd. (Ex P&A Wood Continental Restoration Specialist).

BC3AF comes with huge provenance which is proudly recorded in Davide Bassoli of Nubes Argentea’s well-known books: Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining; The Early Days; and Continental Journeys.

(Please see attached email where Davide Bassoli references BC3AF and its history along with the 2 photographs at its launch by Bentley).

We have also attached the International Club for Rolls Royce & Bentley Enthusiasts certified copy of factory record of which we have all the original documents relating to the car.

The vehicle is now registered back in the UK under its first ownership registration number 575GWC.

(The car has been fitted with electronic power steering and an uprated rear diff)

It comes available in June of this year after being used for a family event with the current owner.