Lot 284 - 1958 12858 S1 Standard Steel Saloon

Successor to the R-Type, the Bentley S1 was introduced in 1955 with a whole new chassis; the car's wheelbase had been extended three inches to 123 inches, and the luggage compartment was expanded. The S1 had softer suspension than the R-Type, with electrically-controlled rear shock absorbers. Brakes had been improved, and the steering was lighter, even more so after 1957 with optional power assisted steering. This model marked the final integration of Bentley with Rolls-Royce - the standard saloons were now entirely alike, but for grills and badging. The engine was Rolls' 4887cc F-head six, in its final configuration before the introduction of V8 power in 1959. Twin SU HD6 side carburettors were used on for the first two years then SU HD8s from 1957 and the four-speed Rolls-Royce-built Hydra-Matic gearbox was now standard. Manual gearboxes were supplied only to special order. With the introduction of the aluminium 6230cc V8 engine in 1959, the S1 Bentley became the S2, and the corresponding Rolls-Royce was renamed Silver Cloud II. The British magazine The Motor reported a top speed of 103 mph and 0-60 acceleration of 13.1 seconds from a short-wheelbase S1 in 1957.

This model was supplied new to Northern Roadways Ltd by the Rolls-Royce agents to Scotland Clyde Automobiles, Gasgow where it remained for some time. In the 1970's this 1958 Bentley S1 went to the United States where it ended up in New York being purchased by the last owner in 1993, returning the Bentley S1 to the United Kingdom in the same year he replaced the headlining and carpets and registered the car with his own personal number plate. This owner used the car sparingly, using it mainly to attend horse race meetings around the south of England. This Bentley is finished in the original colour scheme of sage green over smoke green with green Connolly hide interior and green West of England cloth headlining and is supplied with a V5C registration document, a current MoT test certificate and a copy of the build sheets from the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club.