PRICE IS FIRM. This is likely the most beautifully restored 1958
Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupe extant, with a
no-expense spared restoration by Vantage Motorworks. From a
fascinating Royal history to a world-class award-winning
restoration, this Bentley (Chassis No. BC25LDJ) is like no other.
Having accumulated a mere 10,800 miles (17,338 kilometers) from
new, this Bentley would be welcome at any major concours event
worldwide. This is one of just 31 LHD S1 Continental Drophead
Coupes built by Park Ward for worldwide delivery, making this
example incredibly rare. These all-aluminum Park Ward DHCs are
considered one of the most beautiful and desirable Post-War
Bentleys ever produced, and this example is perhaps the best in the
world. BC25LDJ was delivered to the Iraqi Royal Family in 1958 to
HRH Abd al-Ilah of Hejaz, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of
Iraq. Within months,the Royal family was overthrown during the 14
July Revolution. Years later, BC25LDJ was acquired by Baghdadi
businessman, Omar al-Janabi. Mr. Janabi treasured the Bentley and
even had it repainted white to celebrate his sons wedding. In 1992,
Mr. Janabi loaned out the Bentley for the filming of the movie King
Ghazi , where it caught the eye of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussien.
He offered to buy the car from Mr. Janabi, but after several
unsuccessful offers, Hussien seized the Bentley for his collection.
Hussien repainted the car to two-tone blue and silver. After
Hussiens dictatorship fell, angry citizens looted the presidential
palaces and destroyed, stole and vandalized the cars within
Hussien's collection. Very few cars from the collection survived
the Iraq war. Mr. Janabi had been following the Bentleys licensing
status over the years and was able to provide ownership records to
the US army, proving he was the rightful owner and reclaiming the
Bentley. In 2015, Mr. Steve Maman, a Canadian Collector, acquired
the Bentley while on a humanitarian mission in Iraq. The Bentley
was shipped to Mr. Mamanshome in Canada and was later acquired by
Mr. Jim George, a Michigan real estate developer. Mr. George
shipped the Bentley to Miami to be restored by the renowned marque
specialist, Richard Gorman of Vantage Motorworks. Mr. Gorman
completed the 17-month $1.1 million restoration of the Bentley to
its original specifications, by the summer of 2017. BC25LDJdebuted
at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance and subsequently won
Best in Class at the 2018 Concours dElegance of America in
Plymouth, Michigan. In August 2022, the Bentley was featured and
sold at the RM Sothebys auction in Monterey for $1,875,000 . The
restoration of the Bentley spared no expense and is in excellent
condition, presenting in nearly perfect concours condition today.
BC25LDJ was meticulously restored and returned back to all of its
original specifications. The exterior is gorgeous in its original
Metallic Silver and complemented with a single Dark Blue pinstripe.
The paint condition is excellent in every regard with a deep shine
and luster. The Dark Blue Everflex power convertible top appears as
new and is complete with a Dark Blue leather convertible top boot.
The stainless steel and chrome are in excellent condition. BC25LDJ
is spectacular, presenting in concours condition in every regard
and shows minimal signs of use or wear. The beautiful interior
features Dark Blue Connolly leather that is in excellent showroom
condition. Park Wards famous burl walnut and light crossband
woodwork is gorgeous and appears perfect. The complementary Light
Grey Wilton wool carpet is in excellent condition. During
restoration, AC was installed with vents in the rear behind the
backseat. All of the instrumentation and original AM radio are in
excellent condition. BC25LDJfeatures thevenerable 4.9-liter inline
six-cylinder engine with four-speed automatic transmission. The
original engine and all systems and components were meticulously
rebuilt by Vantage Motorworks during its restoration. The engine
compartment and chassis are meticulously detailed and restored to
concours quality. This Bentley features the desirable
power-assisted steering, electrically adjustable rear lever-arm
shock absorbers, and servo-assisted drum brakes. Factory build
sheets, Owners Handbook, and a binder with historical documentation
are included in the sale of this Bentley.BC25LDJis complete with
its small tools, large tools and is accessorized with a rare and
valuable No. 10 Continental Touring kit. For more information and
details, please call or text Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or email
us at
[email protected] . This Bentley is available for
inspection at our Phoenix showroom. We are pleased to offer
FaceTime or WhatsApp live video inspections, and we help coordinate
shipping worldwide.
