.jpg?w=1)
Details
1960 BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR
COACHWORK BY H.J.MULLINER
Registration No. 295 ACF
Chassis No. BC 98 AR
Engine No. A 97 BC
Brewster green with green leather interior
Engine: V8, 6230cc, overhead valves, twin SU carburettors; Gearbox: four speed automatic; Suspension: independent front by unequal length wishbones and coil springs, with opposed piston hydraulic dampers and torsional roll-bar, rear is semi-elliptic springs with electrically controlled piston-type dampers and single radius rod; Brakes: hydro-mechanical power-assisted drums; power-steering. Right hand drive
Without doubt the Continental Bentley lives up to the traditional associations of its name: few cars would provide as rapid, restful and satisfying transport from, say, Paris to Nice. On arrival at its destination this potent vehicle at once reverts to the exceptionally docile and distinguished town carriage. The Autocar Road Test, December 1960.
The Bentley S2 was the high-performance version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, which had gained a brand-new 6.2 litre V8 engine in 1959; the Continental was the higher performance version of the Bentley, which came with power-steering and hydromechanical power-assisted brakes. Thus this car was, in its day, a very much state of the art up-market sporting machine, and most rewarding to drive.
The heart of this excellent model is an engine of General Motors design, 4.1in. bore by 3.6in. stroke with push-rod operated overhead valves, which drives through an automatic four speed gearbox also by GM. The power output of the engine is said to be in the region of 230bhp, which gives a speed on the road in excess of 110mph. The brakes are operated by large drums, activated by the Hispano-type gearbox- driven servo, and 8.20 x 18in. tyres are fitted.
The original intent of the Continental chassis was for it to be equipped with only two door coachwork and it was 1957 before the company permitted H.J. Mulliner to build a four door body. In their new design, the coachbuilder skilfully combined the practicality of four door coachwork with the breathtaking elegance of the Fastback, and managed to achieve this without increasing the burden on the chassis. The exquisite six-light saloon, was enlivened by the name given to it of the Flying Spur which was actually taken from the heraldic device of H.J. Mulliner's Managing Director, Arthur Talbot Johnstone. The first car built, on an S1 chassis, wore a chrome winged spur mascot.
The Flying Spur was continued through the S series cars, but is arguably at its most elegant on the S2 chassis, where it retained the single headlight formation, but had a slightly lowered front profile for the revised radiator of the model.
The factory records for this car note that it was sold new to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds of Smethwick who took delivery of the coachbuilt Bentley on July 1st, 1960. First registered with the distinctive number '9 BOP' the Flying Spur would have arrived immaculately presented in the black livery they requested and with a grey leather interior. The only notable additions to the order were that the mascot was supplied loose and that a tin of polish go with the car!
The Continental was kept by this company for just under a year, when it passed to Messrs. Cole and Kirby of Kingsbury, London, to be used by F.W. Lowrey. The third owner is noted on the build-sheets as being a Percy Sutton of Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk. It is understood that the car was purchased by Elton John in Norfolk in the 1970s so it is likely that he was the fourth owner.
The car was subsequently comprehensively restored by Weybridge Automobiles, receiving a bare metal respray, complete refurbishment of the interior and mechanical attention as necessary. It then continued to be maintained by them, during which time air conditioning has been fitted. Even though the restoration has mellowed through use, the car is still beautifully presented, and the subtle choice of colour matched by its interior, suits the lines perfectly making it the quintessential Continental Bentley.
The Flying Spur, is also one of the most regularly used, coming into service alongside the two-tone S3 Saloon [Lot 16] and their modern equivalents, when there were guests in residence. Another car that has remained in the collection from the early days, a record player was fitted to the car when purchased, but during the course of restoration this was removed, and naturally today a comprehensive Stereo is fitted instead. A current MoT and road tax accompany the vehicle, together with copies of the factory build-sheets.
Sir Elton John and his staff speak highly of this Bentley which is simply known as 'Flying Spur'. He includes this Bentley amongst a list of a handful of cars in the collection that he has used extensively.
Derek Baulcombe and John Newman confirmed that 'Flying Spur' is lovely to drive and has been used frequently for Elton John's many guests. Newman, Elton John's fleet manager calls 'Flying Spur' one of his favourites; 'The lines on it, the colour scheme - British racing green [it's] ultimately so British. To have that in the garage and the Aston [Lot 15] matching...beautiful.'
COACHWORK BY H.J.MULLINER
Registration No. 295 ACF
Chassis No. BC 98 AR
Engine No. A 97 BC
Brewster green with green leather interior
Engine: V8, 6230cc, overhead valves, twin SU carburettors; Gearbox: four speed automatic; Suspension: independent front by unequal length wishbones and coil springs, with opposed piston hydraulic dampers and torsional roll-bar, rear is semi-elliptic springs with electrically controlled piston-type dampers and single radius rod; Brakes: hydro-mechanical power-assisted drums; power-steering. Right hand drive
Without doubt the Continental Bentley lives up to the traditional associations of its name: few cars would provide as rapid, restful and satisfying transport from, say, Paris to Nice. On arrival at its destination this potent vehicle at once reverts to the exceptionally docile and distinguished town carriage. The Autocar Road Test, December 1960.
The Bentley S2 was the high-performance version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, which had gained a brand-new 6.2 litre V8 engine in 1959; the Continental was the higher performance version of the Bentley, which came with power-steering and hydromechanical power-assisted brakes. Thus this car was, in its day, a very much state of the art up-market sporting machine, and most rewarding to drive.
The heart of this excellent model is an engine of General Motors design, 4.1in. bore by 3.6in. stroke with push-rod operated overhead valves, which drives through an automatic four speed gearbox also by GM. The power output of the engine is said to be in the region of 230bhp, which gives a speed on the road in excess of 110mph. The brakes are operated by large drums, activated by the Hispano-type gearbox- driven servo, and 8.20 x 18in. tyres are fitted.
The original intent of the Continental chassis was for it to be equipped with only two door coachwork and it was 1957 before the company permitted H.J. Mulliner to build a four door body. In their new design, the coachbuilder skilfully combined the practicality of four door coachwork with the breathtaking elegance of the Fastback, and managed to achieve this without increasing the burden on the chassis. The exquisite six-light saloon, was enlivened by the name given to it of the Flying Spur which was actually taken from the heraldic device of H.J. Mulliner's Managing Director, Arthur Talbot Johnstone. The first car built, on an S1 chassis, wore a chrome winged spur mascot.
The Flying Spur was continued through the S series cars, but is arguably at its most elegant on the S2 chassis, where it retained the single headlight formation, but had a slightly lowered front profile for the revised radiator of the model.
The factory records for this car note that it was sold new to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds of Smethwick who took delivery of the coachbuilt Bentley on July 1st, 1960. First registered with the distinctive number '9 BOP' the Flying Spur would have arrived immaculately presented in the black livery they requested and with a grey leather interior. The only notable additions to the order were that the mascot was supplied loose and that a tin of polish go with the car!
The Continental was kept by this company for just under a year, when it passed to Messrs. Cole and Kirby of Kingsbury, London, to be used by F.W. Lowrey. The third owner is noted on the build-sheets as being a Percy Sutton of Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk. It is understood that the car was purchased by Elton John in Norfolk in the 1970s so it is likely that he was the fourth owner.
The car was subsequently comprehensively restored by Weybridge Automobiles, receiving a bare metal respray, complete refurbishment of the interior and mechanical attention as necessary. It then continued to be maintained by them, during which time air conditioning has been fitted. Even though the restoration has mellowed through use, the car is still beautifully presented, and the subtle choice of colour matched by its interior, suits the lines perfectly making it the quintessential Continental Bentley.
The Flying Spur, is also one of the most regularly used, coming into service alongside the two-tone S3 Saloon [Lot 16] and their modern equivalents, when there were guests in residence. Another car that has remained in the collection from the early days, a record player was fitted to the car when purchased, but during the course of restoration this was removed, and naturally today a comprehensive Stereo is fitted instead. A current MoT and road tax accompany the vehicle, together with copies of the factory build-sheets.
Sir Elton John and his staff speak highly of this Bentley which is simply known as 'Flying Spur'. He includes this Bentley amongst a list of a handful of cars in the collection that he has used extensively.
Derek Baulcombe and John Newman confirmed that 'Flying Spur' is lovely to drive and has been used frequently for Elton John's many guests. Newman, Elton John's fleet manager calls 'Flying Spur' one of his favourites; 'The lines on it, the colour scheme - British racing green [it's] ultimately so British. To have that in the garage and the Aston [Lot 15] matching...beautiful.'
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.