Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 4
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Coachwork by Park Ward & Co. Chassis no. BC93AR Engine no. A92BC
Sold for US$103,600 inc. premium
Lot 4
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe
Audrain Concours Auction|29 September 2023, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe
Coachwork by Park Ward & Co.
Chassis no. BC93AR
Engine no. A92BC
Coachwork by Park Ward & Co.
Chassis no. BC93AR
Engine no. A92BC
6,230cc OHV All-Alloy V8 Engine
2 SU Carburetors
200bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Rare derivative of Bentley Continental
*Offered from long term private ownership
*Originally delivered in the UK
*Recently made to run, but recommissioning recommended
THE BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL
Described by The Autocar as, 'A new stage in the evolution of the post-war Bentley,' the magnificent Continental 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 in 1955 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. Dependable though it had proved, Rolls-Royce's six-cylinder engine was nearing the end of its development. At the same time the company was facing increased competition from faster rivals in the vital United States market, and it was principally these two factors that prompted the switch to V8 power as the 1960s approached.
Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their Silver Cloud and S-Type predecessors, though their performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc all-aluminum engine, which produced approximately 25% more power than the old six-cylinder unit. "The Bentley S2, with its sister Rolls-Royce models, gives high-speed travel in silence and luxury, while the driver and passengers enjoy the sense of well-being that only British craftsmanship can give," enthused Autosport. "The V8 engine, with its flashing acceleration, certainly contributes to the result and is a definite step forward in Rolls-Royce technique." There were few significant changes to the running gear, though power-assisted steering was now standard, and the manual gearbox had been dropped, Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission being the sole offering.
Built in 'S2' form from the autumn of 1959, Continental version of the Bentley remained, as ever, exclusively a coachbuilt car. The firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward, James Young, and Hooper (with a solitary example) all offered bodies on the Continental S2 chassis, which differed from the standard version by virtue of its four-leading-shoe front brakes, shorter radiator and, up to chassis number 'BC99BY', higher gearing. Of these four, James Young, and Hooper would soon cease coachbuilding, leaving only Mulliner and Park Ward to carry on a noble tradition.
THE CAR OFFERED
The Bentley S2 Continental offered here is an example of Park Ward's influential and elegant 'straight through wing' body style. It is one of only 125 examples bodied in this fashion by Park Ward, of which only 60 were original right-hand drive cars like this one.
According to its factory records, copies of which are on file, the original supplying agent was Clyde Autos Ltd. the long-established Glasgow entity who had both sold and even provided coachwork for Rolls-Royce since the 1920s. The name attached to the order was Alex N. Gibb. However, interestingly, Martin Bennett's Bentley Continental book lists its first owner as J. Mitchell and its UK license plate to have been 'DEG 1', so perhaps this was an early change of custodian.
By 1980, the Rolls had emigrated to America and was now the property of Thomas E. Troxell of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania and it was from this person that the current owner acquired the car. Viewed today, it seems likely that the colorway is the way in which it was originally supplied, a tobacco brown hue that suits the lines of the car well and is offset by a light tan top and interior.
In recent years the Bentley has been laid up in garage storage. In preparation for the sale, the car was checked over and was able to be made to run, but it was immediately noted that the water pump is seized and that this will require attention. We would also recommend a more thorough checking over and recommissioning prior to road activity.
Accompanying this rare four seater convertible Bentley Continental are an original handbook and accessory tool kit.
Additional information
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