1960 Bentley S 2 Continental

1960 Bentley S2 James Young Continental

Chassis Number: BC62AR

Registration Number: 787AXA

In the 1950’s the Bentley Continental was considered to be the fastest Luxury Car in the world. The engine and chassis were manufactured by Rolls Royce/Bentley of Crewe and were sent to well-known coachbuilders to have handmade aluminium bodies fitted, often to customers specific requirements.

In 1959 the straight six engine was replaced with a new 6.25 litre ,vee eight engine, which provided much more power and speed, the cars with this engine were called S2 Bentleys, this example being the more desirable Contiental varient.

One of the approved coachbuilders at the time was James Young of Bromley who incorporated several unique design features such as elegant door handles with square push buttons and attractive tail fins etc. Only a total of 41 Bentley Continentals were bodied by James Young and relatively few remain today. They were some of the first cars to have power steering, automatic transmission and electric windows as standard.

This vehicle, a 4 door, six light, saloon, is one of them and was sold to a Mr P Harker in May 1960 by Jack Barclay who at that time owned James Young. The car has original matching chassis and engine numbers and still carries the original Bentley registration plate that it was issued with 787 AXA.

The vehicle was purchased by the current owners in the 1970’s having a mileage of approximately 100,000 miles The chassis was de rusted and re built in 1977 and the engine was overhauled with new pistons and liners etc. in 1981. In 1995 the car had a bare metal respray in Oxford Blue and any necessary chrome work was replaced or replated

In 2000 the wood veneers were restored and re lacquered and 1n 2006 the seats and leatherwork was recovered and new carpets fitted.

Since then the vehicle has had many upgrades, a new exhaust system, a high speed starter motor, (original still available,) headlamps converted to halogen and high level brake light fitted, new power steering fitted, ignition system renewed and upgraded, and a new radiator core fitted and cross ply tyres replaced with radials and the original Motorola radio converted to FM and ipod input. It has the original spare wheel, jack and tool kit and an extensive history file.

The car has been serviced and maintained by Herne Motors of Canterbury, Rolls Royce and Bentley specialists and always garaged and regularly run residing as it does in a small collection. It has a current MOT.

It has won several local Classic car competitions and attended many Bentley Drivers Club events it has also had several journeys to France and drives and runs beautifully.

The car is in very good overall condition and is being reluctantly offered for sale after 50 years and 25,000 miles of ownership. Everything needing doing to it has been done without regard to expense & will give many years of trouble free motoring to the next lucky owner.