Coach Builder Name Plates

A rare picture gallery of coach builder name plates. Usually located in the door sills of cars.
























Now this one is not quite a coach builder name plate, but it is the actual name plate of one pretty famous car. Located just in front of the wind screen.



This gallery will grow as more are located.

Bentley S1 Freestone and Webb

Here is an interesting Bentley to pop up on ebay. Item number: 150153629030 a 1957 Bentley S1 with a Freestone and Webb body.



The body is quite different to the standard coachbuilt Bentley S1 Freestone and Webb as written about earlier here.

The headlights are not the standard teardrop type, but are more boggle eyed.



From the two tone paint, it emphasises the different body line to that of the standard steel version, and the Design No. 3191/A Freestone and Webb.



I do not know what design number this body type is.

VIN number B204AN for those who want to do there research on the history of the vehicle. A video of a Freestone and Webb in motion is here.



The ad claims one of only 4 of this body type built, and this is most probable.



Pictures (ebay seller mardel33477)

The Freestone and Webb Bentley S

Bentley spotting has featured a video of the Freestone and Webb Bentley S, as well as one rusting in a paddock down under.

Now here is the source.

The actual technical drawings from Freestone and Webb. In pencil. Early 1950's.

Design No. 3191/A. The Freestone & Webb Ltd Bentley S. Otherwise known as the Bentley S1 Empress.



Here are a few in the flesh.

A 1955 Model.



A 1956 Model - have a look at its stable- mates, a Silver Shadow and a Turbo R, its in Japan.



A 1957 Model



Now Design No. 3171/A. The Freestone & Webb Ltd Rolls Royce Silver Wraith.



A couple of examples.





Now the one in the paddock from before. This version really emphasises the the design around the headlights.



Most call this car the S1 Empress. However the '1' only came after the Bentley S2. There were further Bentley Empress cars, so this could be called the Bentley S1 Empress I, maybe.
Have a look at the very rare Bentley Empress III by Hooper, it was based on the Turbo R here.

Bentley Spottings' first Video Blog

This video comes courtsey of Hiromiyan from Yokohama and features a 1956 Bentley S1 with Freestone and Webb coachwork.

The video has both driving scenes and still photographs set to fine music. It has interior and exterior shots and highlights the exceptional horizontal outstreatched wings of the flying B hood ornament.

Of interet is that a 1955 S1 Feestone & Webb coachbuilt Bentley will go under the hammer in Syndey on Sunday 19 November 2006 10am at Bonhams and Goodman. The extimate price is between $15000AUD and $20000AUD.

The pictures from the Bonhams and Goodman advertisement and it states that they are of the belief that only four of this body type exist. Today I present two.