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. BC25 LDJ 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. Mr.
Janabi loaned the Bentley in 1992 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
reclaim 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. BC25
LDJdebuted 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 complimented with
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. BC25 LDJ 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. BC25 LDJfeatures
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.BC25 LDJis 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.
