Following the success of the high-performance R-Type Continental, Bentley’s S1 model garnered widespread praise as a highly capable road car of supreme luxury. The even more exclusive Continental model, of which just 431 were made, has since become regarded as one of the finest high-speed grand tourers ever built. In perhaps the model’s most striking coachwork, the lightweight fastback by H.J. Mulliner, the S1 is also one of the most beautiful of all postwar Bentleys.

This handsome example was sold new by Brooklands Ltd. of London on May 3, 1957, to Donald Deeprose Esq. of Surrey, UK, finished in the stunning color combination of Circassian Blue with light blue upholstery. The Bentley was fitted from new with a HMV Smiths Radiomobile 200X radio, scuttle aerial, Dunlop Road Speed tires, wing lamps, and delivered with a tin of polish.

After being owned by UK-based enthusiasts, the Continental made its way to the US by 1985, by which time it had been purchased by Peter Sealey of New Canaan, Connecticut. Mr. Sealey soon moved to Los Altos Hills, California, and British car specialists DeLong’s Automotive of Campbell, California, performed an overhaul of the engine and transmission in 1997. A host of service records on file document additional maintenance and repairs carried out over the years. A summary on file notes that Mr. Sealey spent over $43,000 servicing the Bentley in his care and sold it in 2006, after 21 years of ownership.

In 2010, noted privateer racer Herb Wetanson of Southampton, New York, purchased the Bentley for his private collection. Earlier this year, after 13 years of ownership, Mr. Wetanson sold the Bentley to the consignor. The S1 appears to have never been fully restored, and presents in largely original condition with its fantastic blue leather displaying a wonderful patina. The car is accompanied by copies of factory documentation, an original brochure, and 25 pages of service records, as well as its former UK registration book, tool kit, jack, and spare.

H.J. Mulliner’s coachbuilt Bentleys of the 1950s are some of the most exclusive and elegant motorcars of the era, and the S1 Continental Fastback was built in extremely limited numbers, with a roster of early owners that included some of the world’s most famous names. This distinctive example is well documented, fitted with its matching-numbers engine per accompanying factory records, finished in outstanding original colors, and features a wonderfully patinated interior. With this desirable host of attributes and its gorgeous coachwork, this S1 Continental is certainly worthy of close inspection.