Bentley S1

Launched in April 1955, the S1 was a significant advance on the R-type it replaced.
While it carried over the "big bore" R-type's 4887cc, straight-6 engine, the S1 standard saloon featured an all new separate steel box section chassis and body manufactured in pressed steel with doors, bonnet and boot made from aluminium.

Here's an example:

This cutaway diagram is from a brochure:

 

The S1 standard saloon was refined and luxurious with a reasonable turn of speed, but for more sporting drivers the S1 Continental with its higher performance and glamorous coachwork would have been the pick of the range. 

Here's the cover of "The Bentley Continental" brochure:

Supplied as a chassis only, the S1 Continental was fitted with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner & Co, Park Ward, James Young and Freestone & Webb and the shorter radiator, higher compression ratio, more efficient cylinder head and redesigned cam-shaft profiles together with higher transmission ratios resulted in a top speed of 120 mph (192 km/h) and 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 12.9 seconds. To accommodate the increased performance, the chassis was also up-rated and benefited from servo assisted hydraulic brakes and ride control.

 

From 1955 to 1959, a total of 431 Bentley S1 Continentals were manufactured and here we have some photos of one of them. It's chassis #BC42BG, and the photos were taken in Germany in the late 80s...

First a front 3/4 profile:

Next, a rear 3/4 profile showing the rakish fastback coachwork:

And finally from the rear:

.

Mulliner built just 123 examples of the S1 Continental Fasback in right hand drive so its a pretty rare car.

 

Also a very nice car...I like it...a lot!

Many thanks to Juergen for sending us the photos.

Other photos web finds.

 

(Posted by Andy)