For Sale at Auction: 1956 Bentley S1 in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. BC23LAF
Engine No. BC22A

A copy of the original chassis card shows that this left-hand-drive Drophead Coupe chassis was delivered to Rolls-Royce's Lillie Hall facility on 22 August 1955. The Special Features section notes the car was specified with a speedometer in miles, a radio, a "Made in England" nameplate, sun visors, sealed-beam headlights, standard horns, white-walled tires, and a top boot. Handed over to the shippers on 21 December, the car was exported to the United States on the S.S. American Planter for delivery to J. S. Inskip of New York. They handled the final prep and delivered the car to its original owner, R. L. Parish, Esq., of American Flange Manufacturing Corporation, Inc., of New York, on 6 January 1956.

After Parish, the car went to Houston, Texas, on 28 July 1960, when J. E. Anderson acquired it. After his passing, the car went to Memphis, Tennessee, on 16 August 1965 with Rosa Dossett Eggleston. Her husband, William Eggleston, is a photographer known for capturing life in the South and for his role in the recognition of color photography, including his 1976 solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. They kept the Bentley for 26 years until 8 July 1991, when Basil Gordon Witt of Balboa Island, California, acquired it. He role as a securities trader allowed him the opportunity to pursue his life passions from collecting exquisite automobiles, to his love of nature where he regularly enjoyed his boat, fishing, skiing, and golfing.

Upon its arrival in California, a comprehensive, three-year ground up restoration began. The aluminum body was stripped to bare metal by walnut blasting and expertly repaired before the final coat of burgundy lacquer was applied. Inside, the seat frames were completely overhauled and reupholstered with fresh saddle colored Connolly leather. The same care was applied to the convertible top with its matching Everflex top. The engine and transmission were both rebuilt, with the same level of detail being applied to the suspension, brakes, and electrical systems. No detail was overlooked from the zinc plating of fasteners to its prominent chrome trim. The shops that worked on this phenomenal restoration effort read like California's "who's who" list, including Orange County Plating, Jr's Classic Limited Complete Rolls-Royce and Bentley Service, Ron Lawless wood refinishing, and Little John Engelhardt's Interior Concepts, all the work was carried out to the highest level.

Validating the monumental effort behind this Bentley, it was first shown at the 15th Annual San Diego Concours d'Elegance, where it placed First in Class. Through 2007, the car received two Best in Show awards and 14 First in Class awards at concours throughout California. Rolls-Royce chose this Bentley as one of seven displayed at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In 2005, Bentley displayed the Continental at the Los Angeles International Auto Show next to the Arnage Drophead concept car. Bentley requested the car again in 2006, when it was brought to the New York International Auto Show as part of the Bentley convertible chronology for the unveiling of the new Continental GT Drophead Coupe.

With the same exacting standards as the original Bentley Continental clientele, this exceptional Drophead Coupe was added to the esteemed collection of its current owner in 2007. Considered by many to be the most elegant of the S1 Continentals, this Park Ward Drophead Coupe awaits its next chapter. For its new owner, the journey promises rarity, effortless power, sophisticated style, and carries forward a legacy of grand touring excellence, true to the spirit of Bentley as timeless, incomparable, and destined to inspire admiration across continents.