Lot 226 - 1961 Bentley S2

The Bentley S2 Saloon and Continental models all received a shot in the arm in 1959 when introduced at London Motor Show, the Rolls-Royce/Bentley straight-six engine was replaced by an all-new aluminium V8 unit. The more muscular engine, producing approximately 200bhp, was designed primarily to deliver more torque, but it also allowed the company to deliver a product more in tune with its rivals in export markets. Of course, there were many rumours as to what the origins of the V8 engine were but Rolls-Royce always maintained it was an entirely in-house effort. As before, the Bentley S2 was a badge-engineered Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and was built to the same standards and luxury. The 6230cc unit installed in the S2 was smoothly powerful and transformed the Bentley into a grand tourer capable of running silently at speed all day long. Power steering was improved in the S2 but the General Motors automatic gearbox was the same as its predecessor and in fact Rolls-Royce continued to use the gearbox until the introduction of the Silver Shadow.

This example is presented in silver/grey with a light grey leather interior. Its interior is showing nice patina and this Bentley was in a single long-term ownership prior to the present owner. From the early 1990s to 2023 the car was stored as part of a private collection until it was sold to its present owner earlier this year and due to ill health, the car is now being offered without reserve. It comes with a current V5C registration document and although the car does run and drive, we advise that due to some work needing to be carried out on the brakes, we do not recommend the car be driven away from the auction and in addition to this, owing to the car being in storage for a number of years, recommissioning will be necessary.