1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé Adaptation

Footnotes

Described by The Autocar as, "A new stage in the evolution of the post-war Bentley," the 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 generation of six-cylinder cars, the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type, the Continental lost some of its individuality but none of its exclusivity. Eulogising about Bentley's new 'S' series cars, introduced in April 1955, The Autocar wrote, "the latest Bentley model offers a degree of safety, comfort and performance that is beyond the experience and perhaps even the imagination of the majority of the world's motorists".

Later, in October that same year, the Bentley Continental became available on the 'S' chassis. "It brings Bentley back to the forefront of the world's fastest cars," Autocar said of the H J Mulliner-styled fastback, which was the quickest four/five-seater saloon of its day. The Bentley S-Type's new box-section chassis incorporated improved brakes and suspension and an enlarged (to 4,887cc) and more powerful version of the existing inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, which for the first time was identical in specification in its Rolls and Bentley forms. The Continental version came with shorter radiator and higher gearing and, for a time at least, could be ordered with right-hand change manual transmission. As had been the case with the original R-Type, the new S-Type Continental was only ever available as a coachbuilt car; the designs produced by independent coachbuilders for the S1 Continental chassis being among era's the most stylish. All cars were built to the individual customer's personal requirements and finished to the highest standards. There is nothing quite like them in the modern world, and today these supremely stylish motor cars are among the most sought-after classics of their era.

Of the 431 Bentley S1 Continentals produced between 1955 and 1959, 185 were bodied by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder, Park Ward Ltd, of which 122 were right-hand drive like this example, which was originally built as a fixed-head coupé (a 'Continental Saloon' according to the chassis card). The Bentley was retailed by James Young Ltd and sold new to A C Johnson Esq of Sevenoaks, Kent. Four subsequent owners are listed on the chassis card, the last of which - Technical Platings Ltd of Teddington, Middlesex - registered the car in January 1965.

In 1987 the then owner decided to restore the Bentley, commissioning highly respected marque specialists A B Price Ltd to carry out the work, which included conversion to drophead coupé configuration. The result is a car indistinguishable from an original drophead coupe; the reason being that a genuine Park Ward drophead was disassembled and the constructional details and parts faithfully copied, including the seats, interior, windscreen, hood frame and hood. The latter alone cost £4,800 (almost £13,000 in today's money). In a letter on file, Barry price states: "You will understand that it is a major project requiring one's best men and it is, in fact quite exacting work."

In 2000 the Continental was acquired by well-known Bentley enthusiast, Paul Conway, who appreciated the car's quality but wanted a superior standard of finish. After a European tour to celebrate the car's purchase, a second restoration was commenced using some of the best craftsmen in the business. The chassis, suspension, engine and gearbox were rebuilt, and the coachwork treated to a bare-metal repaint in Connaught Green. A photographic record of the work is on file. Completed in 2002, the Continental was shown at the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club's Annual Concours d'Elegance at Towcester Racecourse the following year where the judges voted it the 'Most Elegant Car in Show'.

Nearly 20 years later the quality of the workmanship remains evident, the paintwork being remarkably good and the interior nicely mellowed. Importantly, this Continental has been fitted with an overdrive, potentially lowering the fuel consumption while making for more relaxed cruising at high speeds. Offered for sale at less than half the price of an original Park Ward drophead, 'RKO 222' represents exceptional value for money and is presented in beautiful condition.