Beschreibung:

1961 Bentley S2 Continental Coupe Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner Chassis no. BC87CZ 6,230cc V8 Engine Twin S.U. HD6 Carburetors Approximately 200bhp 4-Speed Hydra-Matic Automatic Gearbox Coil Spring Front Suspension, Semi-Elliptic Rear Leaf Springs Hydraulic Front Brakes, Hydraulic and Mechanical Rear Drum Brakes *High-Specification Continental Model *One of Only 388 S2 Continentals Produced *Restored in England by P & A Wood *Dashing Lightweight Alloy Coachwork THE BENTLEY S2 A cousin of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, the Bentley S2 debuted in September 1959. While retaining the basic body design and chassis of its predecessor, the S1, the new S2 replaced the F-head 6-cylinder engine of the S1 with an all-new aluminium overhead-valve V8 engine, under design and development for the previous decade by the engineers at Crewe. While Rolls-Royce, Bentley's parent firm, had long disdained publication of horsepower ratings, the new V8 engine was estimated to develop over 200 brake horsepower and, due also to its lighter-weight all-alloy construction, made both the Silver Cloud II and S2 faster and quicker than their immediate predecessors. Remarkably, this basic V8 engine design would remain in use for nearly 40 years, until the advent of the Bentley Arnage in 1998. The S2 also introduced standard power-assisted steering and shared its GM/Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic gearbox with the Silver Cloud II. A manual gearbox was no longer available. Recalling the "Continental" name first used in the 1930s, a flowing two-door coupé by H.J. Mulliner bearing that revered nameplate returned on Bentley's 1952-55 R-Type chassis. When the S1 debuted, the Continental was given higher compression for improved performance. Park Ward and James Young were also enlisted as body suppliers, with Park Ward supplying Drophead Coupé bodies, while James Young provided four-door Saloon coachwork. H.J. Mulliner introduced the four-door "Flying Spur" body for the S1 in 1957, which joined their two-door Saloon. All these body styles were applied to the S2, which continued into 1962 when its successor, the S3 debuted. The higher-specification Continental variant of the S2 chassis carried on in the tradition established by the R-Type Continental of the early 1950s by offering distinctive stylistic and performance-oriented upgrades to discerning buyers. Among them were lightweight alloy body panels, a lower-profile radiator, upgraded braking with four-leading-shoe drum brakes up front, special high-speed tires and a higher rear-axle ratio applied to the Continental chassis up to 'B-Series' Chassis BC99BY. Of total Bentley S2 production numbering 2,308 cars, just 388 H.J. Mulliner-bodied Continental Coupes were ultimately produced. Today, each surviving example remains particularly coveted by astute marque enthusiasts today by virtue of their robust V8 power and stylistic excellence. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED Offered from a private collection, this right-hand drive Bentley S2 Continental bears Chassis Number BC87CZ, making it a "C-Series" example from 1962 . The Consignor acquired the Bentley from noted fellow American collector Jim Dobbs, understood to have purchased the vehicle from UK marque specialists P & A Wood, where the restoration was also completed. Featuring striking colors and retaining the original interior, this S2 is handsome throughout and equipped with desirable amenities including air conditioning, power brakes, and power window lifts. Sparingly enjoyed on weekends by the Consignor, this S2 has not been shown nor entered into classic touring events under his ownership of the car, providing the buyer with a number of uncommon opportunities to enter the car into virtually any worthy event of their choosing. Simply put, this 1962 Bentley S2 Continental is a prime example of what many aficionados rightly consider the finest expression of Bentley's universally respected S-Series models.