Beschreibung
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 brain child 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 BC7AF was originally completed in October of 1955 and was just the fifth car built to Design No 700 on the S1 Continental chassis by Park Ward. It was originally finished in sable with beige leather and was initially retained as the trial car at the Rolls-Royce showroom in Conduit Street in London. It was subsequently delivered to its first owner Mr S Norman of Ilford in Essex in October of 1958. It was purchased in July of 1961 by MR C Atkey of Nottinghamshire and the by Mr Lee of London in August of 1963. It was acquired by Bentley specialist P. J. Fischer in the early 1990’s and subsequently restored and supplied by him to a customer based in Hong Kong. The car remained in the UK and was maintained by Fischer, with it being readily available for the owner when in the London area. It was first supplied by Frank Dale & Stepsons in 2008 to a customer in Switzerland and then again by us in 2012 to another Swiss based customer. Over the last few years the car has been comprehensively mechanically restored to ensure complete reliability on long distance rallies. The works included but were not limited to an engine re-build, the fitting of an aluminium radiator, electronic ignition fitted, a gearbox overhaul, prop shaft and rear axle re-built and a complete brake re-build. The completed motor car is in excellent condition in every respect. Chassis No BC7AF 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, history file, air conditioning, complete tools, handbook and various spares for touring. In our opinion, it is one of the best examples you will find and is fully prepared for its next owners enjoyment.
