Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 222
The Stan West Collection 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Sports Saloon Coachwork by H J Mulliner Registration no. 461 EPW Chassis no. BC40XA
Sold for £253,000 inc. premium
Lot 222
The Stan West Collection1963 Bentley S3 Continental Sports Saloon Coachwork by H J Mulliner Registration no. 461 EPW Chassis no. BC40XA
Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|18 September 2021, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood
The Stan West Collection
1963 Bentley S3 Continental Sports Saloon
Coachwork by H J Mulliner
Registration no. 461 EPW
Chassis no. BC40XA
1963 Bentley S3 Continental Sports Saloon
Coachwork by H J Mulliner
Registration no. 461 EPW
Chassis no. BC40XA
*One of 68 bodied by H J Mulliner
*Substantially known ownership history
*Serviced and maintained by P&A Wood
*The ultimate Grande Routière of its day
*Substantially known ownership history
*Serviced and maintained by P&A Wood
*The ultimate Grande Routière of its day
Footnotes
Bentley's magnificent Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952. With the arrival of the final (S-Type) generation of six-cylinder cars in 1955, the Continental lost a little of its individuality but none of its exclusivity, and this trend continued after the arrival of the V8-engined S2 in 1959. Although the S2 appeared externally unchanged, its performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc V8 engine. Power-assisted steering was now standard and there was no longer the option of a manual gearbox, Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic being the sole offering.
The Bentley Continental was, of course, exclusively a coachbuilt automobile. The firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward, and James Young all offered bodies on the Continental S2 chassis. Quad headlamps were the S3's major styling innovation, and on many of the H J Mulliner, Park Ward-bodied Continentals were contained in slanting nacelles, giving rise to these models' 'Chinese Eye' sobriquet. Fog lights were still fitted, but these no longer also functioned as flashing indicators; instead, the indicators on the new models were incorporated into redesigned sidelights, positioned on the front of the wings. Headlamps aside, the most significant change was to the S3's engine, which boasted an increased compression ratio, larger carburettors, and a Lucas vacuum-advance distributor, modifications that raised peak power by some 7%. There was also improved power steering to ease manoeuvring at parking speeds. A further minor change was the adoption of smaller bumper over-riders and a slightly reduced radiator height of about 1.5 inches, giving a sloping bonnet line and improving forward vision. Individual front seats and arm rests became a standard feature, and more powerful lighting and additional indication lights and switches on the instrument panel were introduced, presenting a far more modern feel to the last of the S-series Bentleys.
The S3 is perhaps the ultimate post-war Bentley in terms of appearance, performance and practicality, as well as the last medium sized Bentley to be offered with custom coachwork. H J Mulliner of Chiswick were responsible for some of the most iconic and beautiful coachwork designs on post-war Bentley chassis, especially the Continental variants. Of the 312 S3 Continentals built, H J Mulliner accounted for 68; Park Ward 148; the merged concern of H J Mulliner, Park Ward 75; and Graber a single chassis.
Chassis number 'BC40XA' was delivered in January 1963 to its first owner, one R Valls, and first registered as '871 EYX'. The earliest document on file is an old-style continuation logbook, issued in 1970, listing two owners: Peter Garner of Norfolk and J J Forster of Lancashire, while a change of registration from 'PNG 14' to the current '461 EPW' is recorded also. Accompanying V5 registration documents list Hugo Investments Ltd of London E4 as owner from 14th January 2005, followed by Trevor Weston of Norfolk (from 28th April 2006) and then Stan West (from 8th August 2014). Renowned marque specialists P&A Wood serviced and maintained the Bentley for Mr Weston, and the Essex-based firm has continued to care for the car since its acquisition for the West Collection., the result being a truly immaculate car that ranks among the very best of its type. Related bills are on file together with a quantity of expired MoTs and tax discs. Presented in beautiful condition, 'BC40XA' represents a rare opportunity to acquire this greatly admired model, the culmination of H J Mulliner's development in the post-war era.
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