1963 Bentley S3 Continental H J M Chinese Eye 2dr FHC BC174XA

A smart clean example in a lovely shade of deep metallic blue, with nicely matured beige leather interior. The car was recently driven here from Austria and back again without issues and is in fine condition throughout – ideal to jump in and use either for long distance touring or for regular local running around. Unusually, the car is fitted with a period steel electric slide and tilt sunroof, which we see as a very appealing feature, adding more to the car’s attractiveness. The car has been enthusiastically used and well cared-for, and work in 2022 included a brake overhaul, consisting of new shoes, new drums, wheel cylinders and hoses, and a service at the same time, costing about £7,000 altogether. Not a showpiece, but very presentable, ready to use, and offered MoT tested.

Chassis No. BC174XA Reg No. 210 HYW

Snippets: Construction & Wheeler Dealers

Morris Summers (1916/2001) took delivery of BC174XA at his home in Avenue Close, Avenue Road, London. He was a successful builder whose company Waltham Cross Construction Co Ltd had its HQ in Finsbury Park which is noted for having several early cinemas. Namely 1913 Rink Cinema (now Tin Pin Bowling) and the 1930 Astoria which was designated as being Grade II due to the Art Deco features that it boasted. Morris & his wife Hilda were parents to twin girls Evelyn & Charlotte (1946) and later a son John (1953).

According to the chassis cards, by 1971 BC174XA was with Derek Wheeler of 20 Warren Street, London who was the assistant of Les Lilley, the operator behind London’s Warren Street car scene of the “high-end” second-hand car dealers! The street was named after Anne Warren who was the daughter of Sir Peter Warren and the future wife of Charles Fitzroy, 1st Baron of Southampton who owed & developed the area in the late 1700s.