Description
1950 Bentley Special – Ivan Shaw Built | Final Edition | Exceptional Provenance
A rare opportunity to acquire a truly unique motor car: the last Bentley Special crafted by renowned builder Ivan Shaw, whose creations are celebrated for their engineering integrity, period authenticity, and concours success.
This example represents the culmination of Shaw’s work—refined, balanced, and built to be driven.
Performance & Engineering
Powered by a 1957 Bentley S1 4. 9L engine, this Special delivers strong, effortless performance. The engine has been gas-flowed (head and inlet manifold) and fully balanced, ensuring smooth power delivery and reliability.
Braking is handled by twin power-assisted hydraulic brakes (front and rear), providing confident stopping capability well beyond typical vintage standards.
An 11-inch clutch ensures positive engagement and drivability.
Chassis & Build
The body combines fibreglass construction with hand-fabricated aluminium components, including:
• Doors
• Bonnet
• Engine side panels
• Firewall
This composite approach provides excellent rust protection and delivers strength while keeping weight down—true to the spirit of performance-oriented Bentley Specials.
Fitted with Coker radial tyres, the car benefits from improved ride quality and road manners without sacrificing period aesthetics.
Interior
The cabin is both elegant and purposeful:
• Full leather-trimmed seats and interior
• Solid American walnut dashboard with burr walnut inlays
• Integrated radio and CD player, discreetly blending modern usability with classic design
This is not simply a replica or modified classic—it is a coach-built, individually crafted Bentley Special with provenance, representing the final chapter of Ivan Shaw’s highly regarded series.
Ideal for:
• Club events and historic rallies
• Weekend touring with presence
• Collectors seeking something rare, usable, and distinctive
A one-of-one opportunity.
Cars of this calibre—and with this lineage—rarely come to market.
See: Ivan Shaw’s Special Bentleys on YouTube - - details above
