1959 Bentley Continental S1

Originally called the Bentley S, the Bentley S1 was introduced in 1955 and remained in production until 1959, after 3,538 examples were built. In similar fashion to the preceding Mark VI and R-Type Bentleys, there were little difference between the standard Bentley and the Rolls-Royce Models, in this case, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I. It shared the 4.9-liter straight-6 engine and backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.9-liter engine, with increased compression, larger carburetors and intake valves, helped boost power over its 4.5-liter predecessor by 13 percent. Additional elements adding to the proper road manners included a host of suspension, steering and braking improvements.

Bentley Series S1 and the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud were virtually identical with the exception of grille and badging details. They were both the product of Managing Director Arthur Sedgreaves' new production and manufacturing techniques, which produced the Standard Steel Saloon. The original 123-inch wheelbase platform persisted until 1957 when it was replaced by a larger, 127-inch platform.

Shortly after the introduction of the Bentley S1, the Bentley Continental became available on the 'S' chassis in October of that same year. The Standard Steel Saloon fulfilled the company's commercial requirements, but for the more discerning customer, something more elegant and exclusive was requested. Those who could afford these cars were limited only by their imagination.

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 (at least for a short time). In 1958, the S1 Continental received power-assisted steering and (from chassis 'BC21BG') a more powerful engine incorporating an increased compression ratio, larger carburetors and bigger inlet valves.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019