Vehicle Description
With the arrival of the Silver Cloud/S-Series in 1955, Roll-Royce
and Bentley fully embraced the process of factory coachwork, which
allowed for higher production volume and a healthier bottom-line.
Of course, the factory would still accommodate special requests,
and a few well-heeled individuals ordered their S-Series and Silver
Clouds with bespoke bodies. Like Rolls-Royce, Bentley offered the
second generation S-Series in both standard and long-wheelbase
forms, the majority of which received the factory's Standard Steel
Saloon coachwork. Bentley produced just fifty-seven long-wheelbase
S2s, of which a mere six received custom coachwork by outside
coachbuilders. The V8 engine, long-wheelbase chassis, and refined
performance make these among the most desirable of the S-Series
line. Chassis number LLBA9 is a desirable long-wheelbase model,
fitted from new with this incredible coachwork by Wendler
Karrosserie of Germany. For years, the story of this remarkable
automobile was shrouded in mystery. The origins of its extravagant
coachwork and the identity of the first owner were the subject of
much speculation. But thanks to the efforts of marque experts and
historians, the story is now clear - and no less impressive!
Documentation sourced via the Rolls-Royce Foundation shows chassis
LLBA9 was ordered via the famed New York dealer J.S. Inskip. This
left-drive car one of the six long-wheelbase S2 chassis delivered
to an outside coachbuilder, in this case, Wendler Karosseriebau of
Germany. Wendler had a long-standing tradition of building
fascinating and beautiful designs of the highest quality. They made
their first motor bodies in 1919, soon expanding into coachwork for
commercial trucks. Their portfolio is genuinely fascinating and
includes many highly advanced streamlined designs on BMW,
Mercedes-Benz, and even a Ford V8 chassis. Perhaps their most
famous relationship was with Porsche, for whom Wendler bodied
numerous road-going 356s in addition to creating the svelte
coachwork for the legendary 550 Spyder, RSK, and RS61 racing cars.
Turning back to LLBA9, the factory build sheets appear in the name
of the anonymous buyer's agent, Mr. E.C. Endt. The mystery only
deepened when it was revealed the address on the order form came
back to that of the New York Yacht Club. Marque historians have
since shown the buyer to be Mrs. Caroline Ryan Foulke, the
fabulously wealthy heiress to the American Tobacco Company.
Anonymity was apparently vital to her, though the thoroughly unique
body she commissioned for her Bentley seems to contradict that
idea. Before purchasing the Bentley, Mrs. Foulke drove a gorgeous
one-off estate car based on the Mercedes-Benz 300 d "Adenauer" and
built by Binz Karrosserie. When she wished to replace it with a
newer model, Mercedes-Benz Manhattan politely declined her request
for an estate version of the new W112 300-series, so she turned to
Bentley, who was more than happy to accommodate her needs. Once the
chassis arrived at Wendler, the coachbuilder followed their
client's wishes directly, creating a unique estate car (or shooting
brake as it were) by grafting elements of the Mercedes W112 300
body onto the Bentley chassis. Wendler stretched, reformed, and
reinforced the panels, and many of the factory Mercedes fittings
were used, such as the lights and exterior trim. A significant
number of parts had to be fabricated by hand to suit the scale of
the Bentley chassis and the new shooting brake configuration. The
result of the effort is a remarkable machine that is instantly
recognizable as both a Mercedes-Benz and a Bentley, simultaneously.
The finishing flourish was a medium gray paint job accented with a
blue and red stripe diagonally on the front wings. Initially, some
believed this livery was related to yachting, but it was later
revealed that the colors were those of her horse racing stables.
Perhaps the most distinguishing features of the coachwork are the
"Heckflosse" tail fins that were a hallmark of the W112, blending
gracefully into the bodywork. The designer cleverly integrated
bullet-style tail lights (sourced from a 1960 Buick) which better
suited the shape than the square Mercedes lights. The proud Bentley
radiator shell remains, flanked by a pair of vertically-stacked
US-market Mercedes headlamps. The car has a dramatic, imposing
presence, with fabulous detailing and genuinely superb build
quality. Follower her time with it, Mrs. Foulke gifted the Bentley
to a museum (anonymously, of course) where it remained for some
time before being sold overseas. It then returned to New York in
the 1980s, where, amazingly, it briefly lived with its Mercedes 300
d Binz estate stablemate. From 2012-2013, in the hands of the most
recent owner, LLBA9 received a comprehensive concours restoration
by the respected Automotive Restorations, Inc. of Stratford, CT. It
has returned to its original silver-gray color over a deep red
Connolly interior, as indicated on the RROC chassis card. The
quality of Wendler's construction shines through in the precise
body fit, exquisite detailing, and the effortless manner in which
the doors close. Paintwork is gorgeous, and the panels straight and
properly aligned. Exterior trim appears to be all Mercedes;
however, most pieces were handmade in period specifically for this
car. It rides on a set of whitewall tires as specified on the build
order, and steel wheels dressed with factory Bentley wheel covers.
Gorgeous Connolly leather, wool carpets, and exquisite woodwork
define the opulently appointed cabin. Wendler cleverly blended the
Bentley controls and instruments into the Mercedes-Benz dash. The
dials sit in a bespoke central fascia surrounded with oak trim in
place of the typical walnut veneer. The oak trim - subtle nod to
the car's American roots - repeats on the windscreen surround, door
tops, and the cargo area floor. Interior handles and switchgear
appear to be off-the-shelf Mercedes items, but it is said that many
are bespoke items made by the coachbuilder to mimic the factory
parts. Other features include a sunroof and a period-appropriate
Becker Europa stereo. The beautifully crafted interior melds
British and Teutonic sensibilities, while maintaining a unique
character that would be equally at home parked up at the New York
Yacht Club's 44th St. Clubhouse, or Harbor Court in Newport, Rhode
Island. Mechanically in excellent order, LLBA9 drives as expected
of a Bentley S2, with an even greater sense of solidity. The engine
bay is detailed to a very high standard and shows little in the way
of use. Upon completion, the Bentley debuted at the 2013 Amelia
Island Concours d'Elegance and appeared at other events, including
Lime Rock Park's Sunday in the Park Concours. With an intriguing
history, this is an exceptional automobile that seamlessly blends
opulence with practicality. It has ample room for five passengers
and all the luggage they could carry, with the comfort, power, and
road manners to handle a cross-continental journey. The sale of
LLBA9 represents a one-off opportunity to acquire what is arguably
the most distinguished Bentley S2 ever created. Offers welcome and
trades considered For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6226-1960-bentley-s2-wendler-shooting-brake/