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H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
26th July, 2023 13:00
1957 Bentley S1 Saloon
Estimate: £16, 000-20, 000
Registration No: 674 XVL
Chassis No: B434EG
MOT: Exempt
• Recent invoices for over £2000
• Solid bodywork and in regular use
• Fully re-lacquered interior wood and new carpets
The Bentley S1 was unveiled in April 1955. A very different car from its predecessors, it was longer and wider and based on a much stiffer chassis. Though the traditional body-on-chassis construction facilitated the manufacture of special-bodied versions, most were delivered with the standard offering produced by Pressed Steel Ltd, featuring alloy doors, bonnet and boot lid.
Powered by the final iteration of the company's venerable 4. 9-litre straight six engine featuring revised cylinder-head porting, power was quoted at 178bhp. As standard, the unit drove through a four-speed automatic gearbox with steering column control. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs and employed a leaf-spring mounted live axle at the rear. Braking was by drums all round. A total of 3, 107 examples were produced between 1955 and 1959.
According to Bentley factory records, chassis No B434EG was delivered by Sanderson & Holmes Ltd on the 16th May 1957 to a Mr G A Nelson of 389 London Road, Leicester under registration number RRY 999 and painted in Tudor over Shell Grey. The car was specified as a Standard Steel Saloon with the optional extra of power assisted steering. Unfortunately, during the passing of time the history in between the first ownership and the current vendor is lost. However, we do understand that the car was exported to Ireland at some point during its life and then subsequently returned in recent years as the current vendor re-registered the car for use in the UK in 2020 with an age-related registration plate after acquiring the vehicle as part of a job lot of Bentley and Rolls Royces in 2019. It is understood that the previous owner used the car as a wedding vehicle, hence painting the car in white and he maintained the car well.
On inspection, the car presents well with the overall paint condition being rated 'good', the odd blemish being noted but with no serious rust issues visible. The vendor has presented a list demonstrating that he has recently spent £1742. 57 checking the electrics, servicing the engine including carburettor refurbishment, fitment of a new voltage regulator for the dynamo, new top and bottom radiator hoses and works to the brakes and suspension. There has been further spend on the interior with refurbishment of the gorgeous walnut trim (to the tune of £3000) and a new set of interior carpets (with a bill for £850 from Coverdale).
The car started well on inspection and maintained a steady tickover without fuss and the vendor reports that it runs very well indeed. The brakes, although having had the master cylinder and numerous slave cylinders replaced could do with a slight amount of adjusting (probably just bleeding up more). The red leather seating appears good with no obvious tears to the leather, however some re-stitching would be necessary on the driver's seat. All of the instruments appear to be original and intact, with the odometer displaying 36696 miles which we can't confirm to be genuine.
This Bentley would be a great candidate to be used, enjoyed and improved and could be put to work straight away for wedding duties thanks to it's current colour scheme.
