Beschreibung:

1961 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupé Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd Registration no. not registered Chassis no. BC4LBY• The ultimate in motoring luxury in its day • One of 63 Park Ward-bodied left-hand drive dropheads • Delivered new in the UK • Present ownership since 2004 • Stored since acquisitionFootnotesIntroduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their Silver Cloud and S-Type predecessors, though their performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminium-alloy V8 engine. "The Bentley S2, with its sister Rolls-Royce models, gives high-speed travel in silence and luxury, while the driver and passengers enjoy the sense of well being that only British craftsmanship can give. The V8 engine, with its flashing acceleration, certainly contributes to the result and is a definite step forward in Rolls-Royce technique," enthused Autosport. There were few significant changes to the running gear, though power-assisted steering was now standard and the manual gearbox had bee n dropped, Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission being the sole offering. The Continental version of the Bentley remained, as ever, exclusively a coachbuilt car. The firms of H J Mulliner, Park Ward, James Young and Hooper (with a solitary example) all offered bodies on the Continental S2 chassis, which differed from the standard version by virtue of its four-leading-shoe front brakes, shorter radiator and, up to chassis number 'BC99BY', higher gearing. Of these four, James Young and Hooper would soon cease coachbuilding, leaving only Rolls-Royce-owned Mulliner and Park Ward to carry on a noble tradition, with Park Ward building the S2 Continental drophead coupés and Mulliner the saloons. Chassis number 'BC4LBY' is one of 125 drophead coupés built by Park Ward on the S2 Continental chassis, of which 63 were left-hand drive like this example. This car was delivered new in the UK in September 1961 and first owned by one R Lang. The original registration was '100 AGF'. An advertisement on file dated May 2003 states that the Bentley had been restored in Switzerland and was a '1st class trophy winner'. The current vendor purchased the Continental from The Real Car Company of Gwynedd in September 2004 (bill of sale copy on file), and in March 2005 the car was despatched to Aston Martin Works Service for a complete service and rectification of faults. At the same time the car was upgraded with electric window lifts; Sundym windscreen and side windows; an aluminium radiator; and a viscous cooling fan. Copies of AMWS's bill for £47,355 and a copy Middle Eastern registration document are on file. Stored since acquisition, this beautiful soft-top Bentley Continental will require re-commissioning before returning to the road. Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price to clear customs. The administration for clearing customs is called a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and costs £350 (plus VAT). Both the Import VAT and NOVA charge will be added to the buyer's invoice. Please note that this fee does not include registering the vehicle in the UK. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released once customs is cleared. If you have any questions regarding customs, please contact the Motorcar Department. Please note that this vehicle is only offered with a photocopy of its old registration document, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.