Highlights

Attractive and very usable S2 with power steering
Thick history file with considerable expenditure
Older restoration with sparing use
One of only 1,863 SWB S2s
Tax, MOT and ULE exempt

The Appeal

The S2 has a special place in Bentley’s history as one of the last cars designed for owners who didn’t want to get involved in the time-consuming business of driving. It retained the classic, flowing lines of the S1, but with the firm’s brand new V8 delivering significant increases in the effortless waftability of these opulent and comfortable machines.

Just 1,863 S2s left the factory between 1959 and 1962. This very pretty 1960 example comes with a bulging history file that includes details of a comprehensive older restoration and recent investment exceeding £6,500 covering mechanical work.

It is a very presentable and nicely specified example. Very drivable, thanks in part to standard power steering, it is also usefully ULEZ exempt. We can’t think of a more stylish way to flit about town between appointments.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 7th September 1960
Chassis number corresponds to September 1960 factory build
Current owner since 14th July 2021
1 key
Owners club chassis verification document
Fitted with factory options including radio and electric windows
Original owner was Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries
Colour change registered with DVLA on 26th April 1982
Originally factory supplied in grey with grey interior
Thich history file includes invoices back to the 1980s
Invoices for work undertaken by marque specialists
MOT expired on 10th May 2019 but is of course MOT, ULEZ and tax exempt
Has covered 1,500 since last MOT

History file includes:

Old photographs of the car apparently from the early 1980s
Photographs of older restoration, apparently from mid/late 1990s
These show the work included retrimming, rechroming and restoring the veneers
Club certificate of authenticity
Invoice for engine work from 2019 for £3,429 covering cylinder heads
Related invoice from 2018 for £3,140 covering parts for this work
2016 invoice for service work and health check costing £823
£1,268 for service work and health checks in 2014
£2,826 work in 2014 on brakes, coolant system and servicing
Bodywork repairs to nearside front wing in 2004
Handwritten record of maintenance work from 1982 to 1986
Handwritten letter from previous owner who owned the car in the early 1980s

The Interior

Factory specification interior with refreshed trim
Converted to light blue from original factory grey
In very good condition with few signs of age or wear
Factory fitted power steering
Veneers and hides refreshed during older restoration
Original radio
Smiths dials well kept and with Bentley ‘B’ decals
Headlining factory correct and unmarked
Veneers present well with only light delamination visible on some door cappings
Dashboard veneers unmarked with no visible deterioration
Leather bench style seats with individual front seats
Leather is well kept, minimally aged and with soft, supple finish
Chromework is bright and very presentable
Door cards unmarked, only light wear and small dimple visible on driver’s door
Rear picnic trays demonstrate high levels of Bentley craftsmanship
Good boot area with clean carpet, only small area of discolouration visible
Factory tool kit and under-boot floor spare wheel

Settling into this opulent S2 interior is like walking through the door of a gentleman’s club, such is the air of restrained, old-world charm. It is a remarkably preserved place to be, the various hand-crafted, natural materials presenting very well with barely any signs of wear.

This is likely due to the car receiving considerable investment during its older restoration. This appears to have been around the mid to late 1990s, following which the car appears to have been used very sparingly.

The original finish was grey but has been tastefully and professionally altered to light blue to match the exterior. It is well finished with high quality materials and no obvious deterioration. The signs of age are very minor and limited to some discolouration on a small area of the boot carpet and light, barely noticeable delamination of a couple of the door cappings. There is also a dimple on the driver’s door and some very light marks on the armrest. Otherwise it is very well kept and testament to its careful owners.

The Exterior

Light blue metallic paintwork in very presentable condition
Good chromework with bright finish and no visible marks
Lights and glasswork in similar condition
Standard car with chromed and body colour wheel trims on Firestone tyres
Underside generally presents well, showing only light underseal deterioration
Older restoration showing some deterioration in localised bodywork areas

Factory and DVLA records indicate that this car left the factory in the common shade of grey, which was changed in 1982 to the current colourway. Photographic records of the car show that the current and very pleasant light blue has likely been on the car since the 1980s.

The car appears to have been comprehensively restored in the mid to late 1990s according to invoices in the history file. There are also photographs recording this work.

The work has held up very well, likely due to its original quality and the car’s subsequent sparing use. There are some early signs of deterioration, particularly on the offside swage line on the bonnet and driver’s door, bases of the doors and B pillars. Elsewhere there are some small touched-in paint areas. But none are unsightly or immediately obvious without close inspection.

The screen surrounds are good with no visible deterioration. The chromework is bright and reflects the rechroming work undertaken during the restoration. Glasswork and lights present equally well with clear finishes.

On the underside the underseal has flaked in various areas, allowing some surface marks to appear that could usefully be remedied by a wire brush and undersealing regime. There is also a small area of damage to the edge of the offside front floor.

The last MOT expired in May 2019 but the car has only covered 1,500 miles since the last test. There were no advisories.

Overall this looks like a very presentable and thoroughly usable S2.

The Mechanics

6,230cc L-Series Rolls Royce V8 engine
4spd General Motors Hydramatic automatic gearbox
Extensive mechanical work undertaken during 2018 and 2019

The S2 received the firm’s new 6.2litre V8 motor that offered buyers a significant hike in performance. This motor proved so good that it remained at the heart of Bentley’s cars into the new Millennium.

This car’s thick history file attests to careful ownership. The most recent work includes over £6,500 spent on the engine including removing and reconditioning the cylinder heads. The car has covered few miles since that work was completed. The records also show regular servicing work undertaken by marque specialists.

Summary

The S2 displays the svelte, handsome lines for which the marque became renowned in the immediate post-war years. These very drivable cars, equipped with power steering, are increasingly popular as distinctive ULEZ-compliant conveyances.

This pretty 1960 example looks very usable and comes with the reassurance of a thick history file.

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