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1956 Bentley S1 Sports Saloon

  • Coachwork by Hooper
  • Chassis Number: B460-AN
  • Engine Number: BA 230
In the post-World War II era, a new type of marketplace for the elite in society began to evolve; one that had owner, rather than chauffeur, driving the car. A new type of Bentley was needed.

In 1946, Bentley introduced the Mark VI which was the first Bentley offered with a standard factory steel body. The Great Depression of the 1930s had depleted the number of independent coachbuilders, so the traditional method for clothing chassis's in the pre-WWWII era, was becoming obsolete. The following year, Rolls-Royce introduced their companion car, the Silver Dawn.

There was still a market for custom coachwork, and Bentley made their Mark Vi available as a rolling chassis on which the buyer could commission their own body.

In 1952, Bentley introduced the R-Type which featured a larger 4.5-liter engine and the first automatic transmission. The S-Series followed in 1955 and by this point, the standard steel sedan was nearly identical to the Rolls-Royce counterpart. A few differences existed, such as the grille and badge.

A total of 145 S1 Bentley's were clothed in custom coachwork. The remainders were standard sedans. One of the custom builders was Hooper & Company, based in London and had a history that dated back to 1805. Their existence would continue until 1960 when they ceased production and became a Rolls-Royce distributor.

This 1956 Bentley S1 Sports Saloon has Hooper coachwork. It is an aluminum body with is over 80 lbs. lighter than the standard steel sedan. This car features cutaway 'spats' over the rear wheels and a large, open interior with many windows offering a plethora of light to flow through. The interior is leather with eucalyptus wood trim, door sills, map tray, and rear writing tables.

This car was built for Lady Janet White of Felixstowe, UK and imported to the US in 1970 by Robert and Rita Irwin. The Irwin's retained the car for nearly four decades, before selling to the current owner. The car is completely original and has been driven 86,000 miles since new.

This is one of only four Bentley S1 automobiles with this type of coachwork. In 2007, it was brought to the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California where it was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000. It was offered without reserve, which worked well for the buyer, who purchased the car for $46,200, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008

2008 Bonhams - Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Select Pre-War Motor Cars

Pre-Auction Estimates :
£20,000-£22,000 
Lot was not sold

2007 Gooding & Company

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $75,000-USD $100,000 
Sale Price :
USD $46,200

1956 Bentley S1 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Bentley S1

(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 BENTLEY S-SERIES SALOON
Chassis#: B55CM
Sold for USD$21,702
  2021 Bonhams MPH March Auction
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Coupé
Sold for USD$257,547
  2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek
 
1956 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL COUPÉ
Chassis#: BC59LAF
Sold for USD$434,203
  2020 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
 
1956 Bentley S1 Mulliner Saloon
Sold for USD$20,900
  2020 Mecum : Glendale
 
1956 Bentley S-Series Saloon
Chassis#: B55CM
Sold for USD$19,665
  2019 Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia, RAF Museum Hendon
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Coupé by Park Ward
Chassis#: BC46AF
Sold for USD$195,113
  2019 Historics at Brooklands - Ascot Racecourse
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward
Chassis#: BC7LBG
Sold for USD$1,077,500
  2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1956 Bentley S1
Sold for USD$30,800
  2019 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1956 Bentley S1 Psychedelic Replica
Chassis#: B37DE
Sold for USD$33,000
  2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward
Chassis#: BC54LAF
Sold for USD$1,655,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1956 Bentley S1 image  1956 Bentley S1 image  
1956 Bentley S1 Saloon
Chassis#: B4BA
Sold for USD$25,654
  2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by Mulliner Park Ward
Chassis#: BC53AF
Sold for USD$401,891
  2018 Historics at Brooklands - Ascot Racecourse
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Two-Door Saloon
Chassis#: BC8BG
Sold for USD$231,000
  2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1956 Bentley S1 image  1956 Bentley S1 image  
1956 BENTLEY S1 CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: B326LCK
Sold for USD$115,500
  2017 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward
Chassis#: BC22LBG
Sold for USD$1,683,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1956 Bentley S1 image  1956 Bentley S1 image  
1956 Bentley S-Type Continental Sports Saloon
Chassis#: BC37AF
Sold for USD$374,088
  2016 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival
 
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Sports Saloon
Chassis#: BC48LBG
Sold for USD$327,971
  2016 Bonhams : The Chantilly Sale
 
1956 Bentley S1
Chassis#: B134LBA
Sold for USD$36,917
  2016 Silverstone Auctions : The Classic Race Aarhus Auction
 
1956 Bentley S1
Chassis#: B208BA
Sold for USD$19,995
  2016 Barons : Classic Winter Warmer
 
1956 Bentley S1 James Young Saloon
Chassis#: B470AN
Sold for USD$56,061
  2015 H & H Auctions - Chateau Impney
 

Bentley S1s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1956 Bentley S1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1956 Bentley S-Type Continental Sports Saloon Coachwork by H J MullinerBC4LBG2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale $1,000,000$1,500,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback Sports SaloonBC12BG2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival $285,000$320,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé AdaptationBC21AF2022 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $400,000$500,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Sports Saloon by Park WardBC20LBG2022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction $275,000$325,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental coupé Park WardBC59LAF2020 Artcurial Motorcars : Monaco $375,000$475,000
1956 Bentley S1 Saloon 2020 H & H Imperial War Museum Duxford $30,000$40,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Sports SaloonBC67AF2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival $180,000$200,000
1956 Bentley S1 SaloonB494LAN2019 Mecum : Monterey$20,000$45,000$55,000
1956 Bentley S1 PickupB69BC2019 Silverstone The Sale of British Marques   
1956 Bentley SI by James Young Ex-Lady DockerB14BA2019 Historics at Brooklands Ascot Racecourse $42,000$48,000
1956 Bentley S1 SaloonB 197 AP2018 Coys : Schloss Dyck $35,000$40,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental FastbackBC94AF2017 H & H Auctions Woodcote Park $360,000$400,000
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Two-Door Sports SaloonBC24AF2016 Silverstone Auctions : NEC Classic Motor Show   
1956 Bentley S1B107DE2016 Historics at Brookland   
1956 Bentley S1 Continental FastbackBC94AF2016 H & H Auctions Imperial War MuseumDuxford   
1956 Bentley S1 James Young Drophead CoupeB283 AP2013 Coys Blenheim Palace   
1956 Bentley S1 James Young Drophead CoupeB283 AP2013 Coys Blenheim Palace   
1956 Bentley S1 Saloon 2013 H & H Pavilion Gardens   
1956 BENTLEY S1 2012 McCormicks Palm Springs Auction 53$30,000  
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback CoupéBC93AF2011 Bonhams Les Grandes Marques à Monaco $275,000$325,000
1956 BENTLEY S1 SALOON 2011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA   
1956 BENTLEY S1 SALOON 2011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA$32,000  
1956 Bentley S1 SaloonB336CM2010 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia $23,000$26,000
1956 Bentley S-Series SaloonB435CK2008 Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars, Pioneer and Vintage Motorcycles and Fine Automobilia $8,000$10,000
1956 Bentley S1 Sports SaloonB460AN2008 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars $20,000$22,000
1956 Bentley S1 Sedan 2004 Bonhams MOTOR CARS $25,000$30,000
1956 BENTLEY SERIES I FOUR DOORB146BA2001 Kruse Auction San Antonio, TX$39,000  
1956 BENTLEY S 1 FOUR DOOR SEDAN 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$15,000  
1956 BENTLEY S 1 FOUR DOOR SEDAN 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$19,000  

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1956 Bentley S1 Vehicle Profiles