Believed to be the most highly specified Bentley S2 Continental in existence, with unmatched history and paperwork.

1962 Bentley S2 Continental

Chassis: BC51CZ

Commissioned in 1961 by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart ‘Tim’ Pitman and his wife Cynthia of Eastcourt House, Malmesbury. The Pitman family were well known throughout Cotswolds society as keen hunt goers and the givers of opulent parties. Pitman joined the 2nd Royal Gloucester Hussars regiment, fighting alongside the 7th Armoured division in North Africa as a part of operation ‘Crusader’. Post war he returned as a director to the family publishing company ‘Pitman’, his grandfather, Isaac, having invented and developed ‘Pitman Shorthand’.

Mrs Cynthia Pitman, nee Miller, was born at Shotover Park in Oxfordshire, her brother Sir John Miller was an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II. Cynthia Pitman was a lifelong hunt follower who was still riding to hounds in her mid-eighties, always at the head of the field and ‘undaunted by weather or terrain’.

Chassis BC51CZ was ordered with the precision one would expect from a high ranking British military officer, with a similarly specified ‘Shooting Break’ to bring up the rear with the riding equipment and supplies. It was not only beautifully painted in the Lt-Col’s regimental colours, but also uniquely specified with Cynthia to provide comfort and practicality. It is a unique example of post-war British hunting society, and was famous throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s for transporting this renowned family and their distinguished guests to numerous country events in the opulence and style that only a coach built Bentley can muster.

The Bentley S2 Continental by James Young

As with Bentley’s that came before, in the 1960’s you had almost unlimited choice when ordering your vehicle. The ‘Continental’ was Bentley’s sporting saloon and could either be bodied at the factory, essentially their standard offering, or the chassis could be delivered to your choice of coach builder. In this case James Young, who would not only offer bespoke coachwork but a range of options limited only to the owners imagination. When complete, it was the ultimate expression of wealth and good taste for a family that was embedded in post war British society.

Within the exhaustive history files are hundreds of pages of documentation, ranging from letters between the Pitmans, S. P. Broughton, James Young and Bentley through to build sheets, invoices and technical drawings. Even today, with modern manufacturing techniques, and instant communication it is mind boggling that a car can be designed, tailored and executed in a matter of months. To think that this was drawn and handcrafted with all of the details painstakingly documented by typed letter is simply incredible.

Over and on top of the chassis specification there are 51 sub-orders documented, some before the build, and others as the Pitmans checked in on the development of the car. These included practical additions such as safety belts made by the Irvin Parachute Company and a second fuel gauge mounted by the fuel filler cap (so the pump attendant could monitor how much fuel had been delivered without bothering the family inside). The softness and adjustability of the seats inside was also considered at length.

Body and coach work

Remaining in its original colour scheme of velvet green with red and gold pin-stripes, the Pitmans ‘Hunt Master’ Bentley S2 Continental was the subject of an extensive and well documented ‘bare metal’ respray in 1990 by RW Sprigg Motor Bodies of Bidford-on-Avon. Sparingly used since, the car presents today in excellent condition, with paint and brightwork worthy of its coach built routes. The doors close like a safe, with all rubbers, trim, glass and lights in fabulous condition.

Interior

No matter how elegant the James Young coachwork is, it is the interior of this S2 that steals the show. Hand-crafted from exquisite leather, walnut and metal, every part oozes luxury and attention to detail. During the 1990 restoration of the vehicle the interior was faithfully re-trimmed to the same exacting standards that James Young Ltd undertook when it was new. The work was carried out by Gary H Write Coach trimming at a cost of over £11, 000. Today, it remains in wonderful condition, with 34 years of patina, still smelling of high quality hide. The wood trim, dial knobs and levers that control all those added options are still present and in fine working order.

Running Gear and Chassis

There is an overused expression when specialists such as ourselves describe the service history of historic cars, but in this case it is very true. There is a complete, documented service and maintenance history that accompanies this car from its very conception. It details the work carried out by supplying Bentley dealer S. P Broughton and a who’s-who of Bentley Specialists between 1963 and 1988 when ownership passed to its second custodian.

There is a detailed engine rebuild in 1990 and then a further file containing its history and MOT’s to date. The engine fires with the merest flick of a key and settles down to a barely audible tick over. On the road it produces a steady wall of torque changing through the 4-speed automatic gearbox happily cruising with the fastest drivers on the motorway. Recently back from a tour around Scotland and serviced up to date.

In addition to the engine rebuild, there was also a comprehensive chassis restoration carried out by specialists Clarke & Carter Ltd . This was at a cost of £36, 000, and it included every moving component, bush and suspension part in the vehicle. Low mileage and comprehensive servicing means it remains in fine mechanical condition.

Service Record

As has been alluded to, the service record is, in our experience, unrivalled. The complete 60 plus years of its existence, from initial drawing through to the last pound spent on maintaining it are present. Bound in 10 volumes they also include full parts and maintenance books, service books, technical notes, Bentley and Rolls Royce owners club valuations and correspondence. The current owner informs us that they spent over a week just collating the information in order. Following a driving tour of Scotland last year, to keep on top of maintenance, in September 2024 the Bentley underwent a careful inspection with subsequent maintenance work of £2, 663, plus new tyres. In May 2025 the car was serviced by the Classic Collective in Bicester.

In conclusion, this must be the most highly specified Bentley S2 Continental in existence, with unmatched history and paperwork. With only two family keepers from new, the first until 1988, this is a very special Bentley indeed.

Available now for viewing and demonstration at Pendine’s Bicester Heritage showroom.

Price – £115, 000