Vehicle Description
1959 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead CoupeThe Bentley S1
Continental offered here is a factory left-hand-drive Drophead
Coupe by Park Ward, of which fewer than 40 were built. Attractively
presented, wearing an older repaint in the factory-original colors,
highlighted by a well-preserved interior compartment with
beautifully patinated leather upholstery. The car is equipped with
road- and hand-tool kits and accompanied by copies of factory
documentation confirming that it retains its original engine and
most desirable specifications. Adding to its rarity, this
late-production example features the preferred taillamp
arrangement, and is believed to be one of as few as three
originally specified with air-conditioning, power steering, and a
power soft top. According to copies of factory records supplied by
the Rolls-Royce Foundation, this S1 Continental was completed in
spring 1959, finished in the popular color scheme of Sand over
Sable with beige leather upholstery and a brown top. These records
also note the Bentley?s intended use in USA and optional equipment
including full Rolls-Royce air-conditioning, Sundym glass, fog
lamps, a Radiomobile radio with electric aerial, and Dunlop Gold
Seal whitewall tires. In all, Park Ward built just 94 of these
drophead coupes, the majority supplied in right-hand-drive for the
UK market. The remaining left-hand-drive examples built for export
markets are the most exclusive and sought-after S1 Continentals,
ranking among the most desirable of all postwar Bentley
motorcars.Between 1955 and 1959, Bentley built 431 high-performance
S1 Continentals, virtually all fitted with lighter-weight aluminum
coachwork, predominantly built by firms such as Park Ward Ltd.,
James Young, H.J. Mulliner, and Freestone & Webb. The most
desirable body style offered was undoubtedly Park Ward?s elegant
drophead coupe, style no. 700. Penned by Rolls-Royce Chief Styling
Engineer John Blatchley, the former chief designer for Gurney
Nutting, these drophead coupes were bespoke, custom bodies hand
built in aluminum by Park Ward craftsmen, and not mere adaptations
from stamped-steel factory coachwork.Owned by knowledgeable
collectors for more than half a century and maintained in
good,serviceable condition, this highly regarded Park Ward Drophead
Coupe represents the pinnacleof mid-century luxury motoring. The
car?s beautiful styling, smooth powertrain, and luxuriousroad
manners combine to create an experience that transcends those of
its peers. As an eminently capable and elegant machine, this
Bentley deserves a place in the finest collections.COACHWORK BY
PARK WARDCHASSIS NO. BC14LGNENGINE NO. BC13G The Most Exclusive
British Luxury Car of the 1950s Extremely Rare Left-Hand-Drive Park
Ward Ltd. Drophead Coupe, Style No. 700 Delivered New to the US
with Factory Air-Conditioning, Power Steering, and Soft Top
Original Colors of Sand over Sable with Beautifully Preserved
Leather Upholstery Part of Several Noted Collections, Including
More than 30 Years with Robert M. Lee Accompanied by Handbook,
Tools, and Copies of Original Build RecordsPrice: $1,250,000
