1959 Bentley Continental S1 Flying Spur Sports Saloon / BC14LEL Chassis Information

Flying Spur Sports Saloon
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: BC14LEL

Sold for $166,100 at 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction.
In 1952, Bentley introduced the R-Type chassis Continental sport saloon that offered effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner. The final generation of the six-cylinder cars - the Silver-Cloud and the Bentley S-Type - in April of 1955, continued the Continental tradition and the exclusivity. Later that year, in October, the Bentley Continental became available on the 'S' chassis. The H.J. Mulliner-styled fastback was the quickest four/five-seater saloon of its day. The S-Type had a new box-section chassis and improved suspension and brakes. It also came equipped with an enlarged and more powerful version of the existing inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine. The Continental version came with a higher compression ratio, shorter radiator and higher overall gearing and could be ordered with right-hand change manual transmission.

The S1 Continental brought along several other important developments including the phasing in of power-assisted steering (standardized in 1958) and (from chassis 'BC21BG') a more powerful engine incorporating an increased compression ratio, larger carburetors and bigger inlet valves.

Just like the original R-Type, the new S-Type Continental was a coach built car. The 'Flying Spur' bodystyle, built by H.J. Mulliner, cost £7,994, which was 44% more than a 'standard steel'

This particular example started assembly at the Creve-based Bentley works during November of 1957. It was given left-hand drivee configuration and power steering. It was delivered to coach builders H.J. Mulliners to receive its 'Flying Spur' Sports Saloon coachwork. The work took nearly a year to complete, and would be finished in two-tone Sand and Sable over a red Interior. The optional equipment fitted to this car included white wall tires, radio and wing mirrors, and equipped for the U.S. market where it was shipped aboard the SS Andria. Rolls-Royce of New York, Inc. was marked as the retailer, and J.S. Inskip, Inc. as the selling dealer.

The car's first recorded owner was Mr. Paul V. Shields of Southampton, NY. By 1961, the Bentley Continental was sold to Mr. Henry E. Dahlberg of Tucson, AZ. By the 1970s, it was in the care of Mr. John L. Hanson of Hollidaysburg, PA, which whom the car is believed to have remained with until 2012.

In 2013, the car was brought back to the United Kingdom, where it received a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment. The interior was re-upholstered in brown leather, and the headlining and wood trim panels refurbished.

The car returned to the United States in 2015.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2017

2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :

$175,000-$225,000

Sale Price :

$166,100

2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais

Pre-Auction Estimates :

€130,000-€160,000

Lot was not sold

2019 2
2018 1
2017 1
2016 1
2015 1
2013 3
2012 2
2011 1
2010 1
2009 1

Recent Sales

(Data based on Model Year 1959 sales)

1959 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward Chassis#: BC14LGN Sold for $1,226,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1959 Bentley S1 Saloon Chassis#: B625LFD Sold for $31,900 2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale
1959 Bentley S1 Continental 'Flying Spur' Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC24FM Sold for $296,500 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1959 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR Chassis#: BC14LEL Sold for $166,100 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
1959 Bentley S1 Saloon Chassis#: B57LGD Sold for $64,385 2016 RM Sotheby's : Paris
1959 Bentley S1 Continental 'Flying Spur' Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC41LFM Sold for $243,712 2015 RM Sotheby's : Villa Erba
1959 Bentley S1 Long-wheelbase Saloon Chassis#: ALB24 Sold for $38,165 2013 Bonhams - The Banbury Run Sale
1959 BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR BERLINE Sold for $230,962 2013 Artcurial - Automobiles Sur Les Champs 5
1959 BENTLEY S-TYPE 4 DOOR SEDAN Chassis#: B22GC Sold for $52,800 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
1959 Bentley S1 Saloon Chassis#: B65GD Sold for $36,818 2012 Bonhams - The Beaulieu Sale Collectors' Motor Cars
1959 Bentley S1 Saloon Sold for $33,347 2012 Shannons Sydney Summer Classic
1959 Bentley S1 Saloon Chassis#: B553FD Sold for $10,894 2011 H & H - Pavilion Gardens
1959 Bentley S1 Saloon Chassis#: B-473FD Sold for $33,222 2010 Coys Auction - The Spirit of Motoring - Ascot
1959 Bentley S1 Long Wheelbase 'Empress' Sold for $74,250 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey
1959 BENTLEY 4 DOOR SEDAN Sold for $25,300 2005 Barrett-Jackson - PALM BEACH 2005

Vehicles That Failed To Sell

1959 Bentley Continental S1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.

Vehicle	Chassis	Event	High Bid	Est. Low	Est. High
1959 Bentley S1 Continental Flying Spur Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner		2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey		$280,000	$340,000
1959 Bentley S-Type Continental Sports Saloon	BC24GN	2016 Bonhams : The December Sale		$260,000	$330,000
1959 Bentley S1		2016 Anglia Auction		$16,000	$20,000
1959 Bentley S-Series Continental Flying Spur Saloon	BC14LEL	2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais		$130,000	$160,000
1959 Bentley S-Type Sedan 4887 CC, Automatic	B22GC	2012 Mecum Anaheim, CA	$35,000
1959 Bentley S1 Continental		2003 Bonhams MOTOR CARS		$90,000	$100,000
1959 Bentley S1 Continental Sports Saloon	BC50FM	2003 Bonhams Lord's Cricket Ground 'Summer Vintage'		$39,000	$42,000
1959 Bentley S1 Continental Saloon	BC 30 FM	2003 Bonhams RollsRoyce & Bentley Motor Cars & Related Automobilia
1959 Bentley S1 Continental Sports Saloon	BC50FM	2003 Bonhams RollsRoyce & Bentley Motor Cars & Related Automobilia		$45,000	$55,000
1959 BENTLEY S 1 SALOON		2003 Kruse Auction Ft.Lauderdale, Fl	$15,000

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