1962 Bentley S2

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire 14000 - 18000 Registration No: 293 UXN Chassis No: B74DW MOT: Exempt � Older restoration, still presenting very well � First of the V8 engined Bentleys � Finished in Grey over Gold By 1955, Rolls-Royce felt increasingly less need to visually differentiate between its own models and its Bentley-badged ones. The Bentley S1 that replaced the R-Type model was therefore basically a Silver Cloud I behind the distinctive 'Flying B' radiator grille. The S1 was the last of the marque to employ the company's venerable 150bhp 4.9-litre straight-six engine, whose roots could be traced back to the vintage era Rolls-Royce '20'. This was mated to a four-speed automatic or optional four-speed manual transmission. The newcomer was built along traditional lines with a separate chassis and body, which facilitated the manufacture of coach-built versions. However, the vast majority were delivered with the Standard Steel one that featured alloy doors, bonnet and boot lid. The suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and featured a live axle attached to semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. Braking was by servo-assisted drums all around. Greatly improved performance arrived with the S2 model of 1959, when the straight-six engine was pensioned off in favour of a new 6.2-litre aluminium V8 unit. This raised the top speed to some 114mph and greatly enhanced acceleration. Power steering became standard and electrically operated windows an option. Registered new on the 5th of October 1962, '293 UXN' is finished in an attractive two-tone colour scheme of Dark Grey over Gold with a Beige leather interior which is believed to be largely original. Having benefitted from a full respray some years ago along with mechanical work to engine and transmission, this Bentley is said by the vendor to drive very well with just a slight ticking sound to the engine. With an exterior and interior which present well for the age of the car, '293 UXN' comes with a history file containing, amongst others, a V5C, old MOTs and old tax discs.