1955 Bentley S-Series Saloon
Registration no. EDS 357A
Chassis no. B151AP
Engine no. BA325

'The Bentley 'S' Series is a very attractive car with superb lines, appearance and finish. It costs a lot of money, but to the connoisseur who must have the best it is worth every penny. This will still be a glorious car in 45 years' time, just as my own 1911 Silver Ghost is today.' - John Bolster, Autosport, 1956.

Conceived as replacements for the ageing Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley R-Type, the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type were introduced early in 1955. The duo sported sleeker bodywork on a new box-section separate chassis - Rolls-Royce eschewing unitary construction for the time being - incorporating improved brakes and suspension, the latter featuring electrically controlled damping. Enlargement to 4,887cc and the adoption of a six-port cylinder head boosted the traditionally undisclosed power output of the dependable inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, which for the first time was identical in specification in its Rolls and Bentley forms. Automatic transmission was now standard equipment, with manual transmission a Bentley-only option up to 1957. Fast - 100mph-plus - relatively economical and cheaper to maintain than the successor V8-engined versions, the classically elegant S1 is arguably the most user-friendly of all post-war Bentleys.

This Bentley S1 saloon was purchased by the vendor from his son in 2003. Accompanying history consists mainly of bills issued by A B Classics of Spalding, Lincolnshire over the period 2006-2008 totalling £12,214. Works carried out include a braking system overhaul; removal of the engine and gearbox and a re-spray of the inner wings and firewall; re-facing the cylinder head and valve seats and replacing the inlet valves and exhaust valve guides; overhauling the crankshaft damper; and replacing the starter ring gear. In addition, four new tyres were fitted recently at a cost of over £1,000 (invoice on file). The car is finished in two-tone black/grey with grey leather interior, and is described by the vendor as in generally good condition, with very good chassis. Documentation supplied consists of the aforementioned bills, and the car also comes with owner's handbook, workshop manual, current road fund licence and V5 registration document.