1955 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward

Car History

The tremendous success Bentley enjoyed with the R Type Continental continued onto the S Series chassis in late 1955 with a range of new bodies available to collectors. The Park Ward drophead coupe was originally the brainchild of legendary coachwork designer John Blatchley who had been involved in the styling of the R Type Continental by H.J. Mulliner. Six R Type Continental chassis were delivered to the Park Ward works, which were then owned by Rolls-Royce. Blatchley was given the task of styling the four drophead coupes and the two further fixed head coupes on the R Type Continental chassis, a design which was later slightly adapted for the marginally longer S1 Continental chassis.

Chassis No BC2AF was originally completed in October of 1955 and was just the second car built to Design No 700 on the S1 Continental chassis by Park Ward. Being such an early production car, it comes with a few interesting design features including a three-piece dashboard and door pockets, not seen on later cars built to this design. It was originally finished in dark green with red leather and was supplied by James Young & Co Ltd of Bromley to its first owner, Mr J.N.Dean of The Telegraph & Construction Co Ltd of Old Street EC2 in London. Chassis No BC2AF changed hands a couple of times between 1955 and 1962 and was purchased in April of 1961 by Michael Condon OBE of Buckingham Gate in London SW1. It was purchased by Mr Robin Christopher Moore in 1970 and then Mr John Jeremy Baynes in the early 1990’s.

Frank Dale & Stepsons first encountered Chassis No BC2AF in2003 when we supplied it to a large collection in the US. We then reacquired the car in 2007 and repatriated it to the UK. At that point it was finished in dawn blue with a blue everflex hood. We supplied the car later that year and the new owner instructed a re-paint in dark blue, a new hood in dark blue mohair and various other works. The engine was then re-built and upgraded at the same time, with power steering and larger later specification S1Continental carburettors. Chassis No BC2AF changed hands last in 2010 and has been sparingly used and maintained ever since.  

Chassis No BC2AF is one of just fifty-eight cars built to this design in right hand drive and in our opinion is fast becoming one of the most sought-after models in the post war Bentley era. It is complete with copy chassis cards, an extensive history file and tools.

Summary

Year
1955
Make
Bentley
Model
S1 Continental
Coachbuilder
Park Ward
Body Type
Drophead Coupe
Colour
Dark Blue
Trim
Beige Leather
Condition

Good condition throughout

Technical Data

Four speed automatic gearbox, power steering, 6 cylinder in-line configuration engine, 4.9 litres displacement, 4887cc capacity. Drum brakes servo-assisted.

No items found.