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LOT 463

Selling on Saturday Evening

1960 Bentley S2 Saloon

  • Beautifully restored and finished in Metallic Champagne livery
  • Well maintained and mechanically ready for continued enjoyment
  • Burled walnut interior woodwork crafted by William Rau of Rau Autowood
  • Timeless style and elegance

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As Bentley’s stablemate to the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, the S2 debuted in September of 1959. While retaining the basic chassis and design language of its predecessor, the S1, the new Bentley S2 finally marked the arrival of the all-new 6.2-litre overhead-valve V-8 engine for which the Cloud/S-Type was designed. Under relentless design and development cycles over the previous decade by the renowned engineers at Crewe, UK, the new powerplant featured lighter weight, all-alloy construction and would continue through 2020 – a remarkably long production life and the truest testament to the design's inherent excellence.

The coachwork of the steel Saloon for the Bentley S was accepted with open arms by not just the public, but also marque experts. Bentley expert Johnnie Green said this in his definitive book “Bentley: Fifty Years of the Marque” about the S2 coachwork, “its lines, to say nothing of its interior appointments, were so faultless and modern that the task of the specialist coachbuilders had become a much more difficult one.”

A beautiful example that encapsulates everything the Bentley name stands for, this 1960 Bentley S2 Saloon is presented as 1 of just 1,863 examples produced. According to build records that were supplied by the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club, this left-hand-drive S2 was delivered to an American customer via famed importer J.S. Inskip of New York. The first owner was Allison L.S. Stern, and this example was originally finished in Black Pearl Valspar over Beige Vaumol leather trim. Documented by receipts kept by prior ownership, this S2 Saloon would have an extensive mechanical and cosmetic overhaul in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during which, it would be finished in its present Metallic Champagne paint and the interior would be fitted with parchment leather accented with claret carpets and piping, as well as comfortable rich maroon floor mats. Adding to the elegance of the interior, renowned artisan William Rau of Rau Autowood crafted the wood-rimmed steering wheel and rich burled walnut interior woodwork. Interior options include power windows, a discreetly and professionally installed modern Alpine stereo system, air-conditioning, and fold-down trays for the rear passengers.

Formerly owned by a Bentley connoisseur and active Rolls-Royce Owners' Club member, this S2 was thoroughly maintained and was occasionally driven and shown at club events. Both the 380-cubic-inch, 6.2-litre V-8 engine, and four-speed automatic transmission are in top order and ready to be enjoyed by the next caretaker.

Accompanying the sale of this S2 Saloon is a hardbound 3rd edition Bentley S2 Owner’s handbook, copies of the Bentley’s chassis-card records, and a file of service and restoration receipts from prior ownership. Well-maintained and highly attractive, thanks to its thorough restoration and care under its current ownership, this elegant Bentley will be a welcomed addition to Bentley Drivers Club meets, tours and a host of events. It has been said that the loudest thing in an S2 Bentley is the ticking of the clock. They are beautifully built cars that have stood the test of time and are as much a statement of taste and refinement today as they were some 63 years ago.

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