PROVENANCE
Sir Egbert Cadbury, Birmingham, England (acquired new in March 1960)
Charles Taylor, London, England (acquired from the above in 1963)
David Baldock, Sevenoaks, England (acquired from the above in 2007)
Current Owner (acquired from the above in 2008)

THIS CAR
The Bentley Continental, re-introduced by Rolls-Royce Motors in 1952 as a high-speed touring car option, refreshed the company’s standing, rapidly achieving a legendary reputation. Everyone who loved cars, and who could afford one, wanted a Bentley Continental. After this great marketing success, the Continental specification was given to select cars when the Bentley S series was launched in 1955, and the designation continued until the last of the first series Bentley Continental was produced in 1965.

The venerable Royce-designed straight-six engine was replaced in 1959 with the first V-8 engine ever offered by the company. It appeared for the first time in the exciting new Silver Cloud II, Bentley S2, and Bentley S2 Continental series. Bentley Continentals are easily identified by their chassis numbers, which are always prefaced with “BC.” The name “Continental” was originally given to a particular complete car, the essential features of which were low wind resistance, light weight, exceptional speed, and performance. The designation rapidly acquired a reputation as being a cut above the standard Bentley.

James Young’s chief designer, A.E. McNeil, designed a new limited-edition four-door, six-light saloon, styled with thinner rear pillars for a lighter look. The result, often referred to as the “James Young Flying Spur,” was elegant, yet sporting.

The car on offer was ordered from Bentley Motors by its first owner, Sir Egbert Hayhurst Cadbury, a decorated Royal Air Force pilot and managing director of the family chocolate conglomerate. In a letter dated March 15, 1960, he wrote to Mr. Davis of Jack Barclay Bentley London – the world’s largest Bentley dealership at the time – “I am more than delighted with my car, which is the finest vehicle I have ever driven.”

After passing through two additional ownerships in England, the consignor bought the car in 2008, brought it to the US, and set about commissioning a thoughtful, extensive mechanical restoration by Bentley specialists Donald Lower Coachwork of Atlanta, Georgia. The car was then repainted, the brightwork replated, and a correct new interior was installed, all expertly done at considerable expense by D&D Classic Auto Restorations in Covington, Ohio. The resulting garnet paintwork is mirror-like and the complementary new tan Connolly leather interior is simply exquisite. This Bentley is not only in brilliant condition cosmetically, but it drives as it should, powerful yet nimble, with superb road manners.

The consignor is a longtime supporter of Cure.org, a nonprofit organization that runs hospitals and programs in 30 countries. He has pledged to donate all of his sale proceeds to the group, which he emphasizes has benefited the lives of children all over the world.