1956 Bentley S1 Saloon

Description

Well maintained and in regular use; only 32k miles on rebuilt engine; Harvey Bailey handling kit; new tyres; first owned by Sir Ronald Stewart, owner of London Brick Company; ready to enjoy

Copies of the factory build sheets confirm that this Bentley S1 Sports Saloon left the works in March 1956 finished in dark green with a beige hide interior and was sold new via Murkett Bros Ltd of Bedford to first owner Sir Ronald Stewart, owner and Chairman of the London Brick Company.

It has had six further owners since, according to the V5C. From 1995 to 2007 it was owned by a Mr D Clasen of London SW1 who used the car frequently, including trips to the Continent, invoices showing that it was religiously serviced throughout his 12-year ownership by marque specialists Frank Dale & Stepsons of Brentford.

In August 2002 at 86,896 miles the engine was fully rebuilt by Frank Dale with new pistons, bearings etc. at a cost of £7,997. Other work during Clasen's ownership included: recored radiator; front suspension rebuild; brake system overhaul; rear axle and diff rebuilt; stainless steel exhaust; new gear selector bushes and gearbox mountings; one-shot chassis lubrication system overhauled.

The next owner bought the car from Frank Dale in 2007 and kept it for two years, notes on file stating that it had a £4,500 service when acquired which included fitting electronic ignition and an electric cooling fan as he also lived in central London and used the car in heavy traffic, reporting that “it drives superbly and is utterly reliable… maintaining perfect water temperature even in the most extreme conditions”.

The next owner, a gentleman in Swansea, bought the car from The Real Car Company in March 2009 for £33,000 and kept it for 14 years. He covered over 20,000 miles in the car, notes on file stating that it proved utterly reliable throughout this time and “will cruise all day at 80 – 90mph and will do 109mph no problem! It never overheats even on hot days driven fast, and I have never added oil between changes. The motor and diff are really quiet and it is hard to believe the car is 67 years old”.

He also fitted a Harvey Bailey handling kit in 2010, his notes stating that “the handling is much sharper than standard, and there is much less body roll”. In 2016 the bodywork was tidied up with new inner and outer sills, lower wing sections and some repairs to the rear chassis legs. In December 2021 it got a new set of Galaxy whitewall tyres which cost £504 from Longstone Tyres, although these have been fitted with the white bands on the inside.

Our vendor, who also owns a couple of other Rolls-Royce/Bentley cars, acquired JFO 231 in May this year and has gone right through it to address a few minor niggles including fitting a new fuel pump, changing the oil and filter and servicing the carbs. Like the last two owners, he reports that it is utterly reliable with good handling, positive steering, good gearbox and he would have no hesitation in driving it anywhere.

As you can see in the photos, it looks to be in generally good order throughout, the only real cosmetic faults we noted being a tear to the headlining above the r/h rear vanity mirror and some fading to the dark green paintwork here and there. Although it no longer needs one, it has an MOT until April 2024 with just one advisory for minor corrosion to the vehicle structure (look at the underside shots and you will see that it looks reassuringly solid).

Driven some 40 miles to the sale, this well-maintained Bentley has always been in regular use and has only covered some 32,000 miles since the engine was rebuilt. Starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, it is only reluctantly for sale because the vendor’s wife thinks he already has far too many toys so something has to go!

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com