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1963 Bentley S3 Continental

The Bentley S3 Continental was introduced in August of 1962 and was strictly coachbuilt. Power was from a 6,230cc overhead valve V8 engine allied to a four-speed automatic transmission. The final S3 was delivered in 1966, when Rolls-Royce introduced its new Silver Shadow and Bentley its T-Series.

The S-Type generation of six-cylinder cars arrived in 1955, with the V8-engined S2 being introduced in 1959. The S2 appeared externally unchanged, however, its performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc V8 engine. Power-assisted steering was now standard and there was no longer the option of a manual gearbox, Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic being the sole offering.

The bodies of the Bentley S3 Continental were formed from aluminum, unlike the heavier, steel-bodied S3 saloon. Equipped with the higher gearing and better compression ratios from the overhead-valve, aluminum, 6,230cc V8 engine, the S3 Continental was a markedly faster car. The Continental would become synonymous with effortless high-speed cruising in the grandest of traditions.

The Bentley Continental was exclusively a coach-built automobile. The firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward, and James Young all offered bodies on the Continental chassis. The major styling innovation of the S3 was the quad headlamps. Fog lights were still fitted, but these no longer also functioned as flashing indicators. The indicators on these new models were now incorporated into the redesigned sidelights, positioned on the front of the wings. Aside from the headlamps, the most significant change to the S3 was the engine, which boasted an increased compression ratio, larger carburetors, and a Lucas vacuum-advance distributor. These modifications helped raised peak power by some 7%. There was also improved power steering to ease maneuvering at parking speeds. Another minor modification was the adoption of smaller bumper over-riders and a slightly reduced radiator height of about 1.5 inches, giving a sloping bonnet line and improving forward vision. The individual front seats and armrests became standard, and more powerful lighting and additional indication lights and switches on the instrument panel were introduced.

A total of 312 (as many as 328) examples of the S3 Continental were built with H.J. Mulliner providing coachwork for 68 and Park Ward with 148. The merged concern of H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward bodied 75 examples and James Young bodied 20 examples. Graber bodied a single chassis.

The S3 Continental's exclusivity was guaranteed by its 40 to 50% premium over the already expensive S3.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: BC52LXA

The Bentley S3 Continental was produced from late 1962 until 1966 but just 310 examples were built. The S3 differed externally from its S2 predecessor due to the addition of a four-headlamp layout similar to the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III. The 6.2-liter, V8 engine was carried over with minor modifications.

This Bentley S3 Continental is the first left-hand drive example of only three aluminum-bodied, high-speed Bentley 'Spur Coupes' finished in this striking two-door style by Mulliner Park Ward. It was finished in Regal Red paintwork and delivered to its first owner, Edward Chamay of Switzerland. It passed through a series of owners before coming to the United States in the late 1980s. The S3 Continental was recently restored.

Drophead Convertible by Mulliner

This coach-built two-door drophead convertible was produced by Mulliner Park Ward. The Continental series of automobiles were known for their extraordinary styling and high performance.

Under the hood was the tried-and-true Rolls-Royce OHV eight-cylinder engine. It had an aluminum-silicon alloy cylinder block with cast-iron cylinder liners. Fitted with two SU carburetors, it was capable of producing around 200 horsepower. Zero-to-sixty took just under eleven seconds while top speed was achieved at around 116 mph. Fuel economy was low, with around 13 mpg combined. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed automatic gearbox.

This automobile is painted the original Dawn Blue color with a Crimson leather interior.

Coupe by Mulliner

The first of only three left-drive Mulliner Coupes ever built. This example was supplied new to Geneva, Switzerland, in Regal Red with Beige hides. It was acquired in largely original, but quite shabby condition in August 2009 and an expedited restoration was carried out in order to show it at the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. It is a well sorted out, air conditioned automobile.

Coupe by James Young
Chassis number: BC76XC

This 1964 Bentley Continental James Young Coupe, Vin #BC76XC, was delivered to Mr. Hans Appenzeller in Zurich, Switzerland, in March of 1964. It was featured in the Geneva Car Show in 1964. This coupe was one of only two produced. This is one of the last hand-made coaches built for Bentley Continentals. The engine is an S3, 6.23-liter V8. The exterior color is regal red with interior of beige hide. The current owner has had the car for approximately 10 years. The current reading on the odometer is 62,265 miles. The restoration was completed in the early-2000s and was accomplished by D&D Coach Works of Covington, Ohio.

Saloon
Chassis number: BC118LXA

This 1963 Bentley is one of 16 left-hand-drive S3 Continental chassis fitted with custom Flying Spur coachwork to Mulliner Park Ward's design no. 2011. It was delivered through the J.S. Inskip dealership to Tito Abbo of New York City on May 17, 1963.

This Bentley won Best of Show, Post-War honors at the 2000 RROC Annual Meet in Lexington, Kentucky, and received another RROC Concours-level award at the 2005 event and participated in the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, as well as the Cavallino Classic Sports Sunday that year.

This Bentley wears a two-tone color combination of Shell Grey over Black with red coach-lines. The interior is upholstered in scarlet leather with matching carpets and lambswool overlays. There are power windows and antenna, a period radio, and rear air-conditioning.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

An original, un-restored 98,000 km Continental, originally delivered by Rolls-Royce to a Swiss client. It is fully equipped, including factory air conditioning.

by Bentley

Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: BC18LXC

This Bentley S3 Continental Coupe is one of 27 left-hand-drive coupes equipped with H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd. coachwork for design body no. 2035. The original owner of this example was Lew Wasserman, who ran MCA/Universal. The car came equipped with power windows, in-door refreshment cabinets, and factory air-conditioning. It was finished in dark green paint with with light tan upholstery, with walnut-trimmed dashboard and a full array of gauges, including a tachometer.

This Bentley is powered by a 6,230cc overhead valve V8 engine fitted with twin SU carburetors and offers an estimated 220 horsepower. There is a four-speed automatic GM Hydra-Matic transmission and four-wheel servo-assisted drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: BC22LXB
Engine number: 11BBC

The Bentley S2 and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II were introduced in the autumn of 1959 and wore styling similar to their S-Type and Cloud predecessors, though the performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminum-alloy V8 engine. The new power unit was wider and shorter than the 'six' it replace, yet still fit relatively easily within the engine bay, albeit requiring the relocation of the steering box from inside to outside of the chassis frame. Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission was now the only one offered and power steering had been standardized.

This particular Bentley is one of 86 S3 Continental Flying Spur, and of those, just 18 were selected with left hand drive. This LHD example was ordered new through Rolls-Royce of New York by Arlington, Virginia auto dealership owner Harry Rosenthal. He selected a Blue Spot 'Kuhn' radio with Hirschmann electric aerial, Sundym glass with power electric windows all around, ducting for refrigeration, lambswool for the rear passengers and rubber mats up front, and adjustable reading lamps in the rear cabin. The full set of luggage included four suitcases, two zipper bags, and an overnight bag. A lack Pearl over Beige leather finish was selected, and the chassis was completed at the end of April, 1963, delivered to Mulliner at the beginning of May, and sent to Mr. Rosenthal by mid-May.

The vehicle was later repainted Velvet Green, and resided in the long-term care of a prior owner before being acquired by the current owner in early 2008. At the time, the car was described as a largely original machine except for the older respray with 24,486 miles on the odometer. The car was then sent to Vantage Motorworks to carry out $60,000 in refurbishment work including a rebuilding the brake system, rebuilding and rechroming the bumpers and overriders, rechroming the side window frames, replacing all four tires, full detail of the chassis and engine bay, routine mechanical service, and attention to the paintwork including a color sand, buff, and repaint as necessary.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon by James Young
Chassis number: BC12XA
Engine number: 6ABC

This 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Saloon wears is a right-hand-drive chassis wearing coachwork by James Young, body number 5238 to design number CV100. It is one of just 18 Continentals so equipped. It was delivered in November of 1962 to Sir Egbert Cadbury through Jack Barclay's London showroom. In the fall of 1965, J.S. Inskip, Inc. facilitated the acquisition of the car by Herbert Allen of New York. Ownership then passed to Jay Haft of Connecticut who retained it for 45 years. During his ownership, the car was repainted in the current metallic green.

This car was factory equipped with front window lifts, full Continental instrumentation, fawn leather upholstery, and an electric radio.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: BC72LXA

The Bentley S3 was introduced in October 1962 at the Paris Motor Show, and among its many updates was the new four-headlight design, similar to the styling of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III that had launched earlier in the year. Other updates included a lowered hood line, a radiator grille that was lowered by 1 ½ inches, and the front fenders featured a restyle to house separate flashing indicators and smaller over-riders on the front and rear of the bumper. Under the hood, the engine received larger carburetors and 9.0:1 compression, endowing it with a top speed of up to 115 miles per hour.

This 1963 Bentley S3 Continental was sent to H.J. Mulliner on December 12, 1962, where it received a Flying Spur Saloon body. Upon completion, it was sent to the port on March 12, 1963, and left on the 'Sieqestein' for the United States three days later. It entered the care of its first owner, S.M. Swenson of Essex Falls, New Jersey, on 14 May 1963 by Peter Zage and Co., Ltd of New York City.

It is believed the car was given a restoration in the 1980s, with the body being refinished in its current shade of silver and accented with red and blue pinstripes. The interior was reupholstered during this time in royal blue leather. It was given a trunk-mounted air conditioning system that delivers cold air through vents mounted in the rear hat shelf.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: BC118LXA

Finished in Shell Grey over Mason's Black with Red Connolly hides, this well restored example of 20 left drives, not all of which are known to exist, has numerous Show Trophies to its credit including Best of Show (Postwar) and Best Coachbuilt Car at the 2000 RROC National Meet following extensive refurbishment by Vantage Motorworks, of Miami, Florida. The improvements included the installation of a very efficient roof ducted air conditioning as found in the one-off BC22LXC, fitment of a 50KV ignition system for increased reliability and enhanced performance, and upgrading of the air conditioning system to rotary compressor and R-134 operation. Unplunderedf tools in their special Mulliner box, complete and rather rare mint condition correct owner's handbooks and factory-built records are included.

The Bentley S3, a 4-door saloon with seating for five, was produced from 1962 through 1965 with a total of 1630 examples being produced. It was basically a modified and modern version of the Bentley S2. Some examples were bodied by Park Ward, H.J. Mullner, James Young, and others, while most received coachwork from the marque. A limited number of 32 examples were created on a stretched wheelbase adding to the interior comfort for the passengers.

In comparison to the S2, there were minor differences; most were aesthetics appearing near the front of the vehicle. The front panels had been restyled, twin headlamps had been fitted, and a smaller bumper was used. The interior's split-bench seat was now replaced by individual seats.

Under the hood was the tried-and-true Rolls-Royce OHV eight-cylinder engine. It had an aluminum-silicon alloy cylinder block with cast-iron cylinder liners. Fitted with two SU carburetors, it was capable of producing around 200 horsepower. Zero-to-sixty took just under eleven seconds while top speed was achieved at around 116 mph. Fuel economy was low, with around 13 mpg combined. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed automatic gearbox.

The S3 was the final iteration of the S-Series. It was replaced by the T-Type, a derivative of the Rolls-Royce Shadow.

by Dan Vaughan