1957 Bentley S1 Saloon

The Bentley S1 Standard Steel Saloon replaced the R-Type standard steel saloon which had been in production, with modifications, since 1946. Improved from its predecessor by not just offering seating for five adults, but also a more comfortable arrangement thanks to three extra inches in the wheelbase, enlarged headroom and even bigger boot space. The ride was improved by softer suspension and improved braking which helped to counter the increase in power and engine capacity, which now, with 4887cc was propelled through a four-speed automatic gearbox which itself introduced the ability to select individual ratios if desired.

As well as the refinement as detailed above, importantly this car was ordered with power steering from new enhancing the driving experience considerably. Supporting the past of this striking Bentley is a wonderful and fully documented history file featuring a host of invoices and bills for regular maintenance from as early as 1976 by James Young of Bromley and Jack Compton of Woldingham to Sargeants of Goudhurst in 2008, all works being commissioned for the same owner across this entire period. Amongst some of the early invoices is one in February 1982 from Fisk & Dailly of Kent to confirm they carried out a replacement of the rear offside quarter panel and both body sills, "make good' existing body work and prepare, spray and lacquer the entire vehicle in Silver over Blue, adding the coach line to finish.

In June 1992, despite seemingly only having travelled some maybe 3,000 miles since the restorative works in 1982, Sargeants of Goudhurst were enlisted to commence coachwork restoration including the complete strip of the vehicle, reshape, prepare, prime and paint whole car in top-half Rolls-Royce Shell Grey and lower-half Rolls-Royce Deep Ocean Blue. Seemingly, whilst the original invoice suggested only exterior coachwork restoration was to be undertaken, it appears the decision was rightly made to attend to a few other jobs whilst in a state of disassembly. Resultantly, the interior was removed with the leather being renewed on front seats and front arm rests, boot carpet and trim renewed and rear parcel shelf retrimmed. Door cappings and front and rear surrounds were sent to a specialist for refinishing, whilst the bright work was also re-plated. The total cost from June 92' to reassembly and completion in January 93' was some £18,000 - significant in the early 1990's. From here, a pleasing series of invoices beginning in 1994 to 2008 and all addressed to Mrs Thomas (having previously been registered from 1976 to this time by Mr Thomas) shows this Bentley being annually collected, serviced, fettled and returned by Sargeants of Goudhurst. Clearly leading a pampered life, this car had seemingly travelled just 7,500miles from August 1976 to June 2008 despite twice being restored in this period - in fact, a recurring comment made by Sargeants reads "the car would benefit from a little more use"... The original and excellent finish on the dash woodwork and the lack of wear on the gear lever shroud which is apparent in higher-mileage vehicles suggests an extremely strong possibility that the 26,700 miles now recorded are the actual mileage since new - something that Sargeants of Goudhurst believed to be the case, based on their three generations of experience.

Still with just two former keepers, this car is now offered from a home where it has again been pampered with occasional light us. Presented in exemplary order and in one of the most handsome colour combinations available to these cars, it still carries what we believe is the original, yet nonetheless pleasing, registration number "8263 PE'. This is a stylish and surprisingly swift gentleman's carriage capable of delivering many more years and miles of comfortable driving yet...

UK V5C, many invoices, some past MOT's and current MOT accompany this car.