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Bentley Motors Limited was founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley who was primarily known for his rotary aero-engines used in World War I Sopwith Camels. Though perhaps hard to imagine today, early on, the company was also known for its racing prowess. Bentleys won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times. They fielded an entry in the Indy 500 in 1922.
Bentley was at the top of the British sports car market in the 1930s, with few competitors other than Bugatti and Hispano-Suiza. But, laid low by the Great Depression, Bentley sold out to Rolls-Royce in 1931. After Rolls acquired Bentley, once-clear distinctions between the two marques became blurred. So much so that eventually the main differences were the grille, hood ornament and some handling and performance characteristics.
Bentley introduced its S-series in April of 1955, essentially a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud with Bentley radiator shell, mascot, and badging. Like its Silver Cloud sibling, the Continental was upgraded from S1 to S2 status thanks to the transition from 6-cylinder to V-8 power in 1959. The 6.2-liter OHV V-8 developed by Rolls-Royce/Bentley engineers was virtually silent in operation as buyers of luxury makes expected nothing less. This was, after all, the world's finest motorcar. The drophead coupes were available in limited numbers with custom coachwork by Park Ward. Power steering was also standard, and a new dashboard and steering wheel were introduced.
Bentley's 'Continental' moniker began in 1952 on a Bentley R-Type chassis with two-door coupe coachwork by H.J. Mulliner. The name helped revive the company's performance and sporty image, which had been very prominent during the 1920s and 1930s. When the Bentley S series was introduced in 1955, the Continental specifications continued on a few cars. Although the S2 retained the basic chassis of its predecessor, power was from an aluminum OHV V-8, and could be purchased with custom coachwork.
This particular example wears a coachbuilt body by Park Ward & Company of a design by Vilhelm Koren. The body is of steel-and-alloy construction. The Bentley radiator shell leaned slightly forward, lowered, and mounted 2-inches further than that of the S1 Continental. This design was the first with a fully lined power-operated convertible top with a zipped PVC rear window.
The original owner of this car was Sidney L. Brody via Jack Barclay, the London Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer. It was built on a special heavy-gauge frame and built for use in the United States. It has left-hand-drive specification and equipped with features including a radio, dual mirrors, power steering Sundym windscreen, a Lucas anti-dazzle mirror, and Marchal headlamps.
Mr. Brody had the car shipped from Dover, England, to Boulogne, France, aboard the HMS Lord Warden. Mr. Brody used the car when residing at his home in France, and later shipped it to his main residence in Los Angeles.
The current caretaker acquired the car in 1979. Around 2008, it was given a bare-metal respray in Rolls-Royce Regal Red, a re-trim in tan leather, the brightwork replated, and the wood trim refinished. A new stainless exhaust system was installed and the brake hydraulics were rebuilt.
This Bentley was built for a Los Angeles, CA attorney who had it delivered to his residence in France for a tour of the continent. It is equipped with Marchal headlights and the trunk rack was for European touring. The car was eventually sold to Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield. The current owners have had it since 1978.
Bentley was at the top of the British sports car market in the 1930s, with few competitors other than Bugatti and Hispano-Suiza. But, laid low by the Great Depression, Bentley sold out to Rolls-Royce in 1931. After Rolls acquired Bentley, once-clear distinctions between the two marques became blurred. So much so that eventually the main differences were the grille, hood ornament and some handling and performance characteristics.
Bentley introduced its S-series in April of 1955, essentially a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud with Bentley radiator shell, mascot, and badging. Like its Silver Cloud sibling, the Continental was upgraded from S1 to S2 status thanks to the transition from 6-cylinder to V-8 power in 1959. The 6.2-liter OHV V-8 developed by Rolls-Royce/Bentley engineers was virtually silent in operation as buyers of luxury makes expected nothing less. This was, after all, the world's finest motorcar. The drophead coupes were available in limited numbers with custom coachwork by Park Ward. Power steering was also standard, and a new dashboard and steering wheel were introduced.
Bentley's 'Continental' moniker began in 1952 on a Bentley R-Type chassis with two-door coupe coachwork by H.J. Mulliner. The name helped revive the company's performance and sporty image, which had been very prominent during the 1920s and 1930s. When the Bentley S series was introduced in 1955, the Continental specifications continued on a few cars. Although the S2 retained the basic chassis of its predecessor, power was from an aluminum OHV V-8, and could be purchased with custom coachwork.
This particular example wears a coachbuilt body by Park Ward & Company of a design by Vilhelm Koren. The body is of steel-and-alloy construction. The Bentley radiator shell leaned slightly forward, lowered, and mounted 2-inches further than that of the S1 Continental. This design was the first with a fully lined power-operated convertible top with a zipped PVC rear window.
The original owner of this car was Sidney L. Brody via Jack Barclay, the London Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer. It was built on a special heavy-gauge frame and built for use in the United States. It has left-hand-drive specification and equipped with features including a radio, dual mirrors, power steering Sundym windscreen, a Lucas anti-dazzle mirror, and Marchal headlamps.
Mr. Brody had the car shipped from Dover, England, to Boulogne, France, aboard the HMS Lord Warden. Mr. Brody used the car when residing at his home in France, and later shipped it to his main residence in Los Angeles.
The current caretaker acquired the car in 1979. Around 2008, it was given a bare-metal respray in Rolls-Royce Regal Red, a re-trim in tan leather, the brightwork replated, and the wood trim refinished. A new stainless exhaust system was installed and the brake hydraulics were rebuilt.
This Bentley was built for a Los Angeles, CA attorney who had it delivered to his residence in France for a tour of the continent. It is equipped with Marchal headlights and the trunk rack was for European touring. The car was eventually sold to Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield. The current owners have had it since 1978.
2018 Gooding & Co. : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $250,000-USD $280,000
Sale Price :
USD $214,500
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley S2 Continental
(Data based on Model Year 1960 sales)
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Chassis#: BC93AR Sold for USD$103,600 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction | |
1960 BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL DROPHEAD COUPE Chassis#: BC75AR Sold for USD$212,387 2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1960 Bentley Continental S2 Flying Spur par H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC92LAR Sold for USD$223,808 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC129AR Sold for USD$76,046 2019 The Saragga Collection | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Coachwork by Park Ward & Co. Chassis#: BC54LAR Sold for USD$162,400 2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Sports Saloon Chassis#: BC145AR Sold for USD$119,866 2018 Bonhams : London Olympia | |
1959 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward Chassis#: BC54LAR Sold for USD$173,600 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Chassis#: BC82AR Sold for USD$145,761 2018 H &H Auctions - Classics & Motor Sport Hall of Fame | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Chassis#: BC108LAR Sold for USD$214,500 2018 Gooding & Co. : Amelia Island | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Chassis#: BC32AR Sold for USD$165,614 2018 Historics at Brooklands - Ascot Racecourse | |
1960 Bentley S2 Flying Spur Saloon Chassis#: BC124AR Sold for USD$136,851 2017 Bonhams : London Olympia | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Sports Saloon Chassis#: BC127AR Sold for USD$386,838 2017 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Saloon Chassis#: BC35AR Sold for USD$82,500 2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Saloon by James Young Sold for USD$204,000 2015 Auctions America - California | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Chassis#: BC54LAR Sold for USD$135,100 2014 Russo & Steele - Scottsdale | |
1960 BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL 'FLYING SPUR' SALOON Chassis#: BC76AR Sold for USD$182,194 2013 COLLECTORS' MOTOR CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Coupé Chassis#: BC85 AR Sold for USD$346,983 2012 RM Auctions - London | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupé Chassis#: BC57AR Sold for USD$87,087 2011 Bonhams - RAF Museum, Hendon, Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupé Chassis#: BC111AR Sold for USD$66,478 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Chassis#: BC98AR Sold for USD$125,903 2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London |
Bentley S2 Continentals That Failed To Sell At Auction
1960 Bentley S2 Continental's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Sports Saloon | BC113AR | 2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Sports Saloon | BC49AR | 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Sports Saloon | BC127AR | 2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $220,000 | $280,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Saloon by H.J. Mulliner | BC66LAR | 2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale | |||
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Sports Saloon | BC105AR | 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Saloon | BC124AR | 2017 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $140,000 | $180,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe | BC88AR | 2013 H & H Rockingham Castle | |||
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Saloon | BC76AR | 2012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur | 2011 Automobiles sur les Champs | ||||
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Coupé | BC115AR | 2010 RM Auctions Automobiles of London | $75,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe | BC57AR | 2005 Bonhams Collector's Motor Cars | $40,000 | $45,000 | |
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe | BC2BY | 2005 Bonhams Collector's Motor Cars | $45,000 | $50,000 |
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1960 Bentley S2 Continental
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