Vehicle Description
Proudly presenting this incredibly stunning 1959 Bentley S1
Continental 4-light sedan - Flying Spur. Finished in dark blue
(midnight non-metallic blue) with light tan Connolly hides. An
absolutely show-winning car in every respect. In the spring of
1955, Rolls-Royce and Bentley announced the arrival of a new range
of two virtually identical models respectively known as the Silver
Cloud and S-Series (also referred to as S-Type or later, S1). The
new models culminated the efforts to standardize the line that
began with the Silver Dawn and R-Type. "Standard Steel Saloon" was
now firmly entrenched in regular Rolls-Royce parlance, with the
factory and clients now used to the idea of full, factory-built
cars. In terms of styling and mechanical makeup, the standard
saloons of Bentley and Rolls-Royce were virtually identical, with
only subtle detail differences between the two. Power came from a
4.9-liter inline-six derived from the high-performance R-Type
Continental. Given the success of that car, management decided that
a hotter version of the new chassis should join the new range, and
development began in earnest. Given Bentley's sporting history, the
new high-performance variant would be a Bentley-only offering,
bearing the famous Continental name. Plans called for the
Continental to be sold ex-works as a chassis only, with three
official catalog body styles available. Standard bodies included a
two-door saloon by H.J. Mulliner and a Park Ward two-door saloon
with corresponding drophead coupe. In 1957, one of the most
important developments of the Continental series arrived with the
introduction of a four-door sports saloon, courtesy of the drawing
boards of H.J. Mulliner. Officially known as Design 7443, its more
evocative Flying Spur moniker drew from the family crest of
Mulliner's Managing Director Harry Johnstone. Initially, Johnstone
was met with resistance from Crewe to approve the design, as they
considered the Continental chassis to be the reserve of sporting
two-door coupes and dropheads. But Mulliner saw potential in a taut
and sporty saloon, and buyers agreed, snapping up 54 standard cars
on the S1 platform, and many more on later series. The S1
Continental Flying Spur was available in two models, with either
four or six side windows; the four-window or "four-light" variant,
style number 7443/B, was the rarest. Offered here, chassis number
BC41LFM is one of ten such examples, with only three built in
left-hand drive. The four-light model's blind quarters transformed
its character with a more aggressive and purposeful appearance.
There were no mechanical changes, yet enthusiasts recognize the
four-light sports saloon as one of the most desirable and
significant designs in Bentley's post-war history, with just
fourteen of these special S1 Continental Flying Spurs produced in
total. Offered here is chassis number BC41LFM, reiterating; one of
only three left-hand drive, four-light S1 Continental Flying Spurs
constructed. According to records provided by the Rolls-Royce
Foundation, this car left England aboard the S.S. Andria, arriving
in the United States in March 1959 in time for display at the New
York Auto Show. After the show, the famous dealer J.S. Inskip
delivered the car to its first owner, Mr. Vincent Shea of
Manhattan, a regular Rolls-Royce and Bentley customer. The
hand-written build sheet describes the unique specification,
including a radio with power aerial, under-bonnet horns,
power-assisted steering, Dunlop white-wall tyres, and even such
minutia as coachwork instructions, a tin of polish, and the cheeky
"anti-hobo door locks" in what is perhaps a playful jab at the
car's intended home of New York City. The Schoellkopf card lists
just three subsequent owners through 1986. The Bentley made its way
overseas, and in approximately 2011 it received an extensive
mechanical overhaul by marque specialists Padgett Motor Engineers
in England. It returned to the 'States shortly thereafter and has s
