Chassis BC7LAR
- Rare S2 Continental Flying Spur with coachwork by H.J.
Mulliner
- Delivered new to philanthropist Severance A. Millikin
- Equipped with factory air conditioning, electric windows, and
radio
- Striking, factory-correct black over cream leather livery with
whitewall tires and wheel discs
- Powered by its original, all-aluminum 6.2-liter V8 for
effortless touring performance
Few automobiles better embody the effortless elegance and quiet
authority of postwar British motoring than the Bentley S2
Continental Flying Spur. Built during an era when Bentley remained
committed to bespoke craftsmanship and understated luxury, the
Continental represented the pinnacle of the marque's grand touring
philosophy. Combining remarkable performance with exceptional
comfort and exclusivity, the S2 Continental remains one of the most
desirable and sophisticated Bentleys of its generation.
Introduced in 1959, the S2 brought significant mechanical
improvements over its predecessor, most notably the adoption of
Bentley's new all-aluminum 6.2-liter V8 engine. Smooth, powerful,
and remarkably refined, the V8 transformed the Continental into one
of the finest high-speed touring cars. Capable of sustained
autobahn speeds while maintaining the silence and composure
expected of a Bentley, the S2 represented a masterful blend of
engineering sophistication and traditional craftsmanship.
The Flying Spur body style, built by H.J. Mulliner, remains among
the most admired coachbuilt designs ever fitted to the Continental
chassis. Elegant yet purposeful, its crisp roofline, restrained
ornamentation, and beautifully balanced proportions created a
motorcar that looked every bit as capable as it was. While many
luxury automobiles of the period relied on excess for distinction,
the Flying Spur achieved its presence through impeccable design and
subtle confidence.
Offered here is chassis BC7LAR, a particularly handsome example
delivered new to Severance A. Millikin, a prominent Cleveland-based
philanthropist. Millikin and his wife Greta collected 18th century
French art, and frequented Paris to acquire new pieces. It is
likely that Millikin ordered the Bentley through a Parisian dealer
as the car was specified to French standards. The chassis was
completed on April 27, 1959, with the finished motorcar delivered
to the shippers on November 4 of that year. It was then delivered
to Millikin at the H�tel Bristol in Paris, one of the most famous
hotels in the French capital. Following the Millikins, the Bentley
is known to have passed through three subsequent American owners,
first in 1969, then 1971, and finally in 1982.
Finished in its exceptionally attractive and correct color
combination of black paint over cream leather upholstery, this
Flying Spur possesses a presence that is at once stately,
purposeful, and undeniably elegant. The deep black finish
accentuates the clean architectural lines of the Mulliner
coachwork, while wide whitewall tires and polished wheel discs
provide the perfect finishing touch. It is a color combination that
emphasizes the Continental's dual personality, equally capable on a
concours field or arriving discreetly at a private club.
As one would expect of a Continental specified for an elaborate
original owner, BC7LAR was equipped with an impressive list of
factory options and special features. Among them are electric
windows, Sundym tinted glass, front wing mirrors, and windscreen
washers. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of the highly
desirable factory air conditioning system, a costly and uncommon
option that significantly enhanced long-distance touring comfort.
Additionally, a modern radio has been fitted to the Bentley and has
been tastefully incorporated.
Today, this Bentley presents as a highly appealing example of one
of the marque's most celebrated postwar models. Retaining its
original engine and sporting elegant Flying Spur coachwork as well
as desirable factory equipment, BC7LAR stands as a compelling
expression of British grand touring at its finest. Rare, handsome,
and immensely capable, it remains exactly the sort of motorcar upon
which Bentley built its enduring reputation.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
