1956 S1 Bentley - Ground Up Restoration Project

Bentley S was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 until 1959. Bentley (and Rolls-Royce)'s first true complete redesign of their standard production car after World War II and their last standard production car with an independent chassis. These cars were given a new V8 engine in late 1959. and those cars are identified as S2. Twin headlamps and a facelift to the front arrived in late 1962. and those cars are known as S3. This shape remained in production with those modifications until late 1965 when it was replaced with the completely new chassis-less monocoque T series. It was announced at the end of April 1955. and it was noted that the existing Continental model would continue. The new standard steel saloon replaced the R type standard steel saloon which had been in production. with modifications. since 1946. It was a more generously-sized five or six seater saloon with the body manufactured in pressed steel with stressed skin construction. Doors. bonnet and luggage locker lid were of aluminum. Having a totally new external appearance. although with the traditional radiator grille. the main differences from the R type were: three inches longer wheelbase lower build without reducing headroom and with an enlarged luggage boot softer suspension with electrically operated control of rear dampers lighter steering and improved braking engine capacity increased to 4887cc. the same size as used in the Bentley Continental four speed automatic gearbox was standard. with ability to select individual ratios if desired. As with the preceding Mark VI and R type Bentleys. there was almost no difference between standard Bentley and Rolls-Royce models; this Bentley S differing only in its radiator grille shape and badging from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I. The models shared the 4. 9 L (4887 cc/298 in³) straight-6 engine. They were the last vehicles to be powered by descendants of the engine originally used in the Rolls-Royce Twenty from 1922 to 1929. The bore was 95. 25 mm (3. 7 in). stroke was 114. 3 mm (4. 5 in) and compression ratio 6. 6:1. Twin SU carburetors were fitted. with upgraded models from 1957. A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard. with a 4-speed manual available as an option until 1957. A standard wheelbase car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957 had a top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 13. 1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 16. 1 miles per imperial gallon (17. 5 L/100 km; 13. 4 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car. which had the optional power steering. cost £6305 including taxes of £1803. Production of standard specification cars S: 3072 (145 with coachbuilt bodies) S long wheelbase: 35 (12 with coachbuilt bodies) Specifications. Bodywork. Length/width/height/wheelbase – cm (in) : 539/190/163/312 (212/74. 8/64. 2/123); weight : 1725 kg (3807 lb). Mechanics. Inline 6 engine. 4887 cc (298 ci). front mounted. 12 valves. 2 SU HD6 carburetors. automatic 4 speed gearbox. rear-wheel drive. Unknown power and torque. I am selling this S1 with no reserve and at a low starting price of $9. 00. I have easily invested more than double the starting price over the years. I have owned this S1 since 1980. About 15 years ago. I asked a professional body shop to perform a ground up restoration of the S1. They removed the body from the frame and restored the body completely. They finally painted the S1 in February 2015. but unfortunately. I am now retired and downsizing my house and selling off my car collection. The S1 was running at the time it was disassembled. The S1 includes the engine. trans. glass. chrome. radiator. interior (see picture of leather seat). etc. The only significant part missing is the Flying B radiator ornament. Of course. it needs new rubber pieces. tires. seals. headliner and carpet. I have tried. in good faith. to describe this S1 as much as possible. but I may have missed something or made a mistake. Accordingly. please understand that this vehicle is being sold “AS IS” “WHERE IS” without any guarantees or warranties. express. written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description. authenticity. genuineness. or defects herein. No allowance. set off or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness. imperfection. defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle. and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. Mileage indicated at 0 simply because the total mileage is unknown. This car is being presented as a project with everything in need of attention or repair. Items only directly related to this vehicle shown in the pictures are included; none of the background items in photos are included in this auction. Buyer is responsible for shipping costs and all arrangements. I will attempt to work with your shipping company. but you are ultimately responsible for coordinating anything relating to shipping. loading or preparation for shipping. The S1 can be viewed by appointment in Chino Hills. California 91709 (about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles). I highly recommend and encourage a personal inspection of the vehicle. if possible. A $500 deposit via Paypal is required within 24 hours after the close of auction. The balance is due in cash upon delivery. This vehicle must be picked up within 20 days after the close of auction. unless other arrangements are made in writing. I am not interested in selling the S1 outside of the U. S. . unless you can show me that you have experience in buying and shipping internationally. Feel free to ask any questions. My email is neal30000@yahoo. com. My cell is (310) 962-7309. Ask for Steve. (Note: I am spending about half my time in an area in which there is no cell service. However. I do have WiFi. so I can receive emails easily. )