1961 Bentley S2 Continental Saloon

The automotive industry has continually evolved and following World War II, Rolls-Royce clientele shifted away from chauffeur-driven cars to personal luxury cars driven by the owners themselves. The demand for coach-built vehicles, however, was still present.

The Bentley S2 was introduced at the 1959 London Motor Show and came equipped with an all-alloy 200 horsepower V8 engine. With its alloy construction, the large V8 engine weighed the same as the six-cylinder S1 it replaced. The new engine made its debut in the new S2 and in its stablemate, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. The engine was mated to a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The S2 featured upgraded power-assisted brakes, and power steering. Inside, the S2 had a new dashboard, incorporating updated gauges, and standard power window lifts and electric rear window demisters.

The Bentley S2 was produced between 1959 and 1962 with just under 2,000 examples produced. Most were fitted with a factory body. For the discerning client, Rolls-Royce and Bentley recommended several custom coachbuilders including James Young. James Young was one of the last coachbuilders employed by Bentley to build the four-door Saloon.

This particular example is a James Young coachbuilt S2 and is believed to be one of just six built in left-hand-drive configuration. Options selected by the first owner, who drove the car in Switzerland, included a Motorola radio, wool carpeting, and James Young luxury items such as reading lights, and leather quarter panels. Features include the addition of air-conditioning, with the proper rear compartment cold air outlets. It is finished in a deep gloss black with a gorgeous Magnolia leather interior. There is burled woodgrain interior trim and dashboard installed by James Young craftsmen.

In the 1990s, this Bentley was sold to an American living in California.