Lot 163 - 1963 Bentley S3

• An excellent original example
• Only 3,700 miles since renovation
• Maintained by top marque specialist

The last Bentley to be built on a separate chassis, 1962 saw the introduction of the Bentley S3 factory bodied, standard steel saloon and, at first glance, it would appear that the all new S3 was merely an S2 with different headlamps. The introduction of the twin headlamps was clearly the most obvious change, but the differences did not end there. Further changes included the introduction of smaller bumper overriders and the repositioning of the front indicators and side lamps into one single unit on the front wing, resulting in a more attractive appearance. The S3's interior now had individual front seats in place of the split bench seat found in the earlier S-Types and some, like this one, had electric windows and front seat belts. Mechanically speaking the S3 was the same as the S2 with a 6230cc, Rolls-Royce V8 engine and automatic gearbox but this model was fitted with larger carburettors, improved power steering to aid smoother movement at parking speed and a Lucas vacuum-advance distributor to aid fuel consumption, making it almost identical in mechanical specification to the S3 Continental that was being produced at the same time.

On 11th February 1963 this beautiful example of the marque was supplied new with the electric window option by Bristol Motors Co. Ltd. to Mr. F.G. Pratten. In 1990, the well-known marque specialist, Chelsea Workshop sold the car to a gentleman who took and stored the car at his family home near St. Tropez in the South of France; upon its return to the UK 20 years later he gave the car back to Chelsea Workshop and instructed them to renovate the Bentley, cost for which amounted to £60,000. Part of the renovation was to repaint the car in the original colour of Masons Black whilst retaining the original Tan leather interior and fit a very discreet air conditioning system. Mechanically the car was completely gone through including a brake overhaul, front suspension overhaul including replacing the front road springs, re-tempering the rear springs, overhauling the power steering ram, replacing PAS hoses and carrying out a full 24,000 mile service. Since all this work has been done the car has covered a mere 3,700 miles and looks, runs and drives as it did when it came out of Chelsea Workshop. The current owner purchased the Bentley in 2015, again from Chelsea Workshop; he lived almost next door to them and used the car as his local transport around London. This Bentley S3 is supplied with UK V5C registration document and a file containing copies of the chassis cards supplied by the R.R.E.C. and the MoT history confirming the mileage. Here is a fantastic opportunity to buy one of the best, post war Bentleys that can still be used as an 'everyday motor car'.