Lot No: 315
1961 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe
Coachwork by Park Ward
Chassis no. BC86BY
Engine no. B85BC
Described by The Autocar as, "A new stage in the evolution of the post-war Bentley," the magnificent Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952. With the arrival in 1955 of the final generation of six-cylinder cars, the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type, the Continental lost some of its individuality but none of its exclusivity, a state of affairs that continued after the arrival of the V8-engined S2.
With development of its dependable six-cylinder engine nearing an end, and facing competition from faster rivals in the United States market, Rolls-Royce turned to V8 power as the 1960s approached. Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their Silver Cloud and S-Type predecessors, thoug