Highlights

Served as the personal transport of the Australian Ambassador to Washington during the Kennedy era
Extensive refurbishment in Italy with over €30,000 invested, plus a further £7,000 of mechanical work in the UK
In current ownership for approximately eight years
History file includes the original build sheet

The Appeal

The Bentley S2 replaced the S1's straight-six with a 6.2-litre aluminium V8 shared with the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, delivering a significant leap in performance and refinement wrapped in Bentley's more sporting identity.

This example, chassis number B413CT, was manufactured in November 1960 as a UK-specification car and exported new to the United States, where it served as the personal transport of Sir Howard Beale, the Australian Ambassador in Washington during the Kennedy era. Following Sir Howard's retirement, the car accompanied him to Sydney where it continued in chauffeur-driven service. It later passed to Eric Goudie, Secretary of the Canberra arm of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club of Australia, who kept it until his death in 2006.

After being exported to Italy, the car underwent an extensive refurbishment encompassing a respray and retrim in what is stated to be the original Velvet Green and cream colour scheme, along with engine and gearbox rebuilds. Since arriving in the UK, further mechanical attention has been carried out as detailed below. The vendor states that the car has covered approximately 5,000 miles in the 14 years since the engine rebuild, including a recent tour of southern France where the vendor reports it performed well on the motorways at speed.

Having spent much of its life in the dry Australian climate, this S2 presents an opportunity to acquire a well-documented, well-maintained example of one of Bentley's most refined post-war saloons.

Key Information

Mileage: 4,311 miles (indicated, unwarranted)
Country of registration: United Kingdom (currently located in the Dordogne, France, and due to be driven back to the UK in the summer)
Technical inspection status: MOT/road tax exempt
Technical specs: 6.2-litre aluminium V8, automatic transmission, power-assisted steering
Paperwork: history file including original build sheet, Italian refurbishment invoices (over €30,000), and UK mechanical work invoices (approximately £7,000)

The Detail

Engine rebuilt during Italian refurbishment
The vendor states approximately 5,000 miles have been covered in the last 14 years since the engine rebuild
Gearbox rebuilt as part of the same Italian refurbishment
Resprayed in what is stated to be the original Velvet Green
Retrimmed in cream, including headlining, carpets, and leather
New tappets fitted since UK import
Electronic ignition fitted
Carburettors refurbished and set up
New exhaust system fitted
The vendor reports the car recently completed a drive from the UK to southern France without issue
The vendor states there is no evidence of rust or welding on the underside of the car, attributed to its years in Australia

BEFORE YOU BUY

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