1959 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL S2 COUPÉ PAR H.J. MULLINER

Dutch title
Chassis n° BC3LAR
Engine n° A3BC

• One of 24 LHD built
• Probably the only one delivered with a factory sunroof
• Exceptional condition
• Supremely elegant model

The Bentley Continental S1, a coupé version of the saloon, was presented in 1955. In those days, the body of this elegant machine was entirely hand-built by specialist coachbuilders. The car claimed to be the fastest four-seater coupé in the world. As the six-cylinder engine could not be developed further, the Bentley Continental transformed in 1959 into the "S2" with a new aluminium V8 block built by Rolls-Royce and Bentley. This 6.2-litre engine produced an estimated 200 bhp, giving the car a top speed of 200 km/h. Automatic transmission and power steering were standard.

The example on offer left the Crewe factory on 21 December 1959 to be delivered by boat to its first owner in Amsterdam, a Dutch printer from Weert. This left-hand drive car is presented in Shell Grey with blue leather interior. A very rare feature, it has a sunroof and a multitude of options including extra door pockets and a reading light. This superb Bentley was then sold to one of the first owner's colleagues, a printer from the US. At the start of the 1990s, the car returned to its native land, England, acquired by a Mr T. In 1996, the car was sent for some mechanical work and a full service to the specialist Michael Walker at Brookwood. The current owner acquired the car in 2009 and had extensive restoration work carried out: the body was stripped and repainted in its original livery; the wood trim and chrome-work were restored; the upholstery was refurbished by Ellermeyer, in Amsterdam. A complete file of factory documents comes with the car. Refined, elegant and fast, there is no shortage of adjectives to describe this very rare coupé. Just 24 left-hand drive examples left the factory, and only 18 of these would have survived. This one, delivered new in Europe, is believed to be the only one delivered new with sunroof. Exceptional.

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1959-bentley-continental-s2-coupe-par-hj-mulliner-4134-186