Description
Ordered new by Socit Anonyme des Automobiles Peugeot
Owned by Helmut Newton from 1964 to 1972
One of only 26 left-hand drive H J Mulliner-bodied S-Type two-door saloons
Maintained throughout its life with no expense spared
Engine rebuilt in 2011 (fewer than 3, 000km since)
Numerous upgrades
Substantial history file
The splendid Bentley S-Type Continental we are privileged to offered here once belonged to the critically acclaimed German/ Australian fashion photographer, the late Helmut Newton, who purchased this magnificent British Grande Routire in Paris in 1964.
In his Autobiography, Nan A. Talese edition, 2003, Newton recalled the circumstances of his purchase: It was early in 1964 that I decided I had to own a Bentley. I went to Franco-Britannic, the Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealers in Paris, and walked with the salesman through the basement garage, where the second-hand motorcars were displayed. I told the guy I had ten thousand francs to spend, and he showed me a number of clapped-out 'R' types. In the corner of the garage I saw a silver-and-blue metallized beauty. I said, 'That's the one I want'. He looked at me pityingly and said, 'Monsieur, you don't have enough money for that one. It's Madame Peugeot's car in which she goes golfing. The price is twenty-three thousand francs'. About a month later, on a Saturday morning, there arrived a check in the mail from the advertising agency Scholz and Partners. I had done a job for them, and the check was for the exact sum needed to buy that car. I hotfooted it to Neuilly, gave the salesman that check, and said 'Give me that car, quick'. He looked at me like I was crazy, but I had the car and drove it home in a state of complete euphoria.
Born in Berlin, Germany in 1920 as Helmut Neustdter, Newton fled the country with his Jewish parents in the late 1930s as the Nazi regime consolidated its power, eventually settling in Australia. When WW2 ended he became a British subject and changed his surname to Newton.
In 1946, he set up a photography studio in Melbourne and shared his first joint exhibition in 1953 with fellow German refugee, Wolfgang Sievers. Newton's forte was fashion photography, and his work earned him a commission to illustrate a special Australian supplement for Vogue magazine, published in January 1956. A contract for British Vogue followed and Newton moved to the UK in February 1957, eventually settling in Paris with his wife, actress June Browne. He continued to work for the biggest names in the fashion business, including French Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, and during the 1980s and 1990s produced the series of often challenging nude photography for which he is best remembered, commencing with 'Big Nudes' in 1980.
Following a heart attack in 1970, Newton sold his beloved Bentley in 1972. He had never been satisfied with the service the car received in Paris, preferring to drive all the way to Geneva to keep his beauty in perfect condition. Following the heart attack, he wanted a simpler and less stressful life, avoiding hitting the road for long trips, so the Bentley had to go.
One of the giants of post-war fashion photography, Helmut Newton died in Los Angeles, California in January 2004, aged 83. Following his death, The New York Times described him as a prolific, widely imitated fashion photographer whose provocative, erotically charged black-and-white photos were a mainstay of Vogue and other publications.
Bentley's magnificent Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952. With the arrival of the final generation of Rolls-Royce Ltd's six-cylinder cars - the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type - the Continental lost some of its individuality but none of its exclusivity. Eulogising about the new S-Type, introduced in April 1955, Autocar wrote, 'the latest Bentley model offers a degree of safety, comfort and performance that is beyond the experience and perhaps even the imagination of the majority of the world's motorists.'
Later, in October that same year, the Bentley Continental became available on the 'S' chassis. 'It brings Bentley back to the forefront of the world's fastest cars,' Autocar remarked of the H J Mulliner-styled fastback which, arguably, was the quickest four/ five-seater saloon of its day. The S-Type's new box-section chassis incorporated improved brakes and suspension and an enlarged (to 4, 887cc) and more powerful version of the existing inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, which for the first time was identical in specification in its Rolls and Bentley forms. The Continental version came with shorter radiator and higher gearing and, for a time at least, could be ordered with right-hand 'change, manual transmission.
As had been the case with the original R-Type, the new S-Type Continental was only ever available as a coachbuilt car, the designs produced by independent coachbuilders for the S1 Continental chassis being among the era's most stylish. The firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward, James Young, and Hooper all offered bodies on the Continental chassis. Of these four, James Young and Hooper would soon cease coachbuilding, leaving only Mulliner and Park Ward to carry on a noble tradition. Consolidating its in-house coachbuilding capability, Rolls-Royce purchased H J Mulliner in 1959 and two years later the firm was merged with Park Ward, which had been acquired in 1939. H J Mulliner bodied the majority of S-Type Continentals (218 cars) with Park Ward responsible for 185 of the remaining 213.
The car offered here, chassis number 'BC4LBG', is one of only 26 left-hand drive H J Mulliner-bodied two-door saloons on the Continental S-Type chassis. As confirmed by the accompanying chassis card copies, this car was ordered new via Franco Britannic Automobiles by Socit Anonyme des Automobiles Peugeot for Mr J P Peugeot, the guarantee being issued on 9th May 1956. The Continental was delivered finished in two-tone Silver/ Black Pearl with Tan leather upholstery, while special features included a speedometer in kilometers; Marchal headlamps; foot switch wired for horns; amber reverse lights; French reflectors; a rear blind; and combined flashing/ parking lights.
After the purchase by the Peugeot family, the car was in the hands of Knud Abildgaard, head of the important Leo laboratory. Then came Helmut Newton until 1972 who succeeded a Parisian until 1978, when a renowned French auctioneer acquired it at auction. In 2002, the car crossed the Belgian border to belong to two different owners. The second entrusts us today to offer his beloved car.
Over the years, the Continental appeared on the French Riviera in the 1967 film La Collectionneuse (The Collector) where it belongeg to an art collector. It was lent by Helmut Newton to his dearest friend Eric Rohmer, important director of the French New Wave cinema. Helmut Newton himself photographed the car. Two pictures appear in his Autobiography, including his self-portrait surrounded by his Continental and his Mini. Later, when the car was owned by the auctioneer, it was photographed in front of the well-known La Grande Cascade restaurant in Paris to appear on the front cover of the book Bentley, Toute l'Histoire, Editions EPA, 1983.
The accompanying extensive history file contains a substantial quantity of invoices for servicing, repairs and maintenance dating back to the late 1970s, testifying to a no-expense-spared approach to its upkeep over the years (inspection recommended). These include bills for a restoration undertaken by David Scott-Moncrieff & Son Ltd in 1981/ 1982 and for numerous other works carried out during the 1980s and 1990s by recognised specialists such as Franco-Britannic Automobiles who sold the car new, British Motors and Garage Sauzeau. According to former custodians of the car, the upholstery may very well have been re-trimmed by Herms, in the late eighties. There is also a 'Envoi de Henri Chapron
Levallois-Perret' label attached to the jack indicating Monsieur Newton 4 rue Aubriot Paris 4e, possibly indicating that the Bentley's subsequent repaint was carried out in his workshop. In 2011 the engine was completely rebuilt by English Automotive Services Ltd at a cost in excess of 35, 000 (bills on file). Works carried out included the installation of power steering; installing rear air conditioning; and fitting electronic ignition. Fewer than 3, 000 kilometres have been covered since the engine rebuild, we have been advised that the air conditioning remains in working order.
Additional documentation includes a copy of the 1978 auction catalogue entry; current Belgian application papers; and a cancelled French Carte Grise. Also included in the sale is a hardcover copy of Helmut Newton's Autobiography, Nan A. Talese edition, 2003. The current owner is pleased to offer a copy of his stunning Helmut Newton's Sumo book, a signed large-format limited edition, which is supported by a Philippe Starck-designed book stand. This book is a real collector piece of art, weighing 34 kg.
With most original left hand drive delivery S-Type Continentals in private collections they are seldom seen on the road and only rarely offered for sale. This wonderful example is worthy of any collection and will bring great pride to its next discerning owner.
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MOTOR CARS & MOTORCYCLES
All vehicles must be collected from the Bonhams|Cars Marquee by 12noon on Monday 9 October 2023. Customers must notify BY EMAIL ONLY to Suzanne Kress , using the button below, no later than 8pm on the day of the Sale.
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IMPORTANT CARS UNDER CUSTOMS BOND
Lots 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 119, 124, 134, 145, 150, 151, 155, 169, 185, 186
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