LOT 150 Ω

1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe Chassis no. BC106LXA Engine no. 53ABC

Sold for CHF63,250 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 150^Ω

1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe

The Gstaad Sale - Collector's Motor Cars|3 July 2022, 14:00 CEST|Gstaad Palace

1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe
Chassis no. BC106LXA
Engine no. 53ABC

• Offered without reserve
• Angled quad headlamp model
• Delivered new to Switzerland
• Subsequently owned in the USA

Footnotes

From the time of the original's introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952, the high-performance Bentley Continental had been an exclusively coachbuilt car, and by the time of the S2's arrival in 1959 could be ordered with coachwork by the firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward and James Young. By far the most striking of the S2 Continentals were those bodied by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder Park Ward, and this design by Norwegian Vilhelm Koren, with its influential continuous front-to-rear wing line, would continue on the Continental S3. Quad headlamps were the S3's major styling innovation, and on the H J Mulliner, Park Ward-bodied Continental, were contained in slanting nacelles.

Ordered on 26th September 1962, left-hand drive chassis number 'BC106LXA' was retailed via Garage de l'Athenée in Geneva and first owned by a Mr Ricardo Sicre of Geneva. Copy chassis cards on file reveal that the Continental was originally finished in Velvet Green with black leather upholstery, and that the chassis had been delivered to Park Ward on 24th January 1963. Completion took some nine months. Special features listed include air conditioning; speedometer in MPH; 'Made in England' nameplate; export type rear numberplate; plain Sundym glass throughout; Radiomobile electric aerial; Irvine lap belts front and rear; centre armrest; rubber inserts to over-riders; and electrically operated door windows. The specification sheet is marked 'for use in USA'. However, another chassis card lists 'speedo in kilos' (sic); UK registration as '647 EGK'; and records the Continental's shipping by air from the UK to Le Touquet, France on 31st October 1963. It seems likely that the original US order was cancelled and the car diverted to Switzerland. In addition to Mr Sicre, only one owner is listed: Irving Wallace Esq of Los Angeles, California, USA from 30th September 1967. Unfortunately, nothing is known of the Bentley's subsequent history and the only other paperwork available is a photocopy of a middle east registration document issued in February 2013, which is when it is believed the current owner acquired the car. On static display since acquisition, this beautiful Continental will require re-commissioning before returning to the road.

Please note that this vehicle is not offered with any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.

Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Duty, Car Tax and VAT) will apply at roughly 12.5% of the Purchase Price. Included in this is the Swiss Duty which is calculated on the weight of the vehicle and shall be CHF 15 per 100 kg. Also included is Swiss Car Tax at 4% and this is calculated on the total Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss VAT will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium, Swiss Duty and Swiss Car Tax at a rate of 7.7%.
Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Collection Notices
Purchases will only be released when cleared funds are received or on presentation of a bank letter irrevocably guaranteeing payment of the bank transfer order made by the holder of the account (name of the buyer) up to the amount of (amount of the purchase invoice) and debited from the account whose number will be specified (See letter's template at the end of the catalogue)
All vehicles must be collected from Gstaad by 6pm Monday 4 July 2022.
Customers must notify Tara Lawrence of Bonhams no later than 10pm on the day of the Sale if they will be collecting their vehicle on Monday 4 July 2022, no later than 6pm.
Tara Lawrence must be contacted by email only: [email protected]
In the absence of customer instructions, all vehicles will be removed to a temporary storage facility near Studen (CH2557) by the logistics company CAR Logistics Ltd at your expense and risk. The uplift and storage charges are outlined below:
Administration and uplift from Gstaad
CHF 550 + TVA per motor car
Storage charges from Monday 4 July 2022
CHF 30 + TVA per motor car per day
It is strongly advisable that you make contingency arrangements regarding collection in advance of the Sale. All storage and removal charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle's collection or onward transportation. The pick-up can ONLY be made by appointment, arranged at least 24h in advance. Buyers wishing to pick-up their car at the storage near Studen (CH2557) will need to contact CAR Logistics first, pay the fees, and ensure that CAR Logistics has received from Bonhams, before their arrival, the authorisation to deliver the car.
Buyers should satisfy themselves that they have collected all relevant registration and logbooks, documents and keys relating to their Lot(s) at the time of collection.
Important Notice
The storage facility will remain operational until Tuesday 2 August 2022.
Any vehicle not collected by this time will be removed and transported to CAR Logistics for storage at the client's expense: CHF 950 + TVA per car
CAR Logistics Ltd.
Brunnmattstrasse 5
3174 Thörishaus-Bern
Melanie Daepp
+41 (0)58 356 12 12
[email protected]
www.car-logistics.com
Customs
Please note that for lots which are subject to the normal local duty/import tax on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium: as Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
For these cars, collection by the buyer or a third party is only possible if import taxes are paid. Please keep in mind that it takes a couple of days to clear customs.
For all enquiries relating to Customs, be they administrative or legal, please contact CAR Logistics.
Car Logistics Ltd.
Brunnmattstrasse 5
3174 Thörishaus-Bern
Melanie Daepp
+41 (0)58 356 12 12
[email protected]
www.car-logistics.com
Insurance after sale
Buyers are reminded that their vehicles are their responsibility from the fall of the auction hammer. It is your responsibility to have adequate insurance cover in place.
Neither Bonhams, nor their agents, will be liable for any damage or loss that the lot may suffer from the fall of the auction hammer.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

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Lot symbols

Ω	Import high rate
	VAT on imported items at the prevailing rate on hammer price and buyer's premium, if the object remains in the EU. TVA sur les objets importés au taux en vigueur prelevable sur le prix d'adjudication ainsi que sur la prime d'achat dans le cas où la voiture reste dans l'Union Européenne.