.jpg?w=1)
Details
1964 BENTLEY S3 STANDARD STEEL SALOON
Registration No. VUU 777
Chassis No. B160 EC
Engine No. BEC 80
Two tone garnet over silver, with grey leather interior
Engine: V8, overhead valves, 6,230cc; Gearbox: four speed automatic; Suspension: front, independent with wishbones, rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four-wheel drums. Right hand drive.
Sir Elton John's Collection is dominated by coachbuilt Continental Bentley models, but the post-war period of the company's production, reflecting the changing world of motor car production, in reality was mainly given over to a single coachwork design, the Standard Steel Saloon.
It made its debut on the 1947 Mark VI model, and even in the immediate pre-war days its styling lines were beginning to come to fruition. As the individual coachbuilders suffered a decline in demand due to the increasingly excellent quality of production bodywork, so in turn Bentley realised that the quality of coachwork was in decline. By building their own production coachwork, they were able to ensure that their cars were consistently of the highest quality, and invariably the remaining coachbuilding firms could do little to better the stylish, well-appointed bodywork that the manufacturer itself provided.
The Standard Steel Saloon continued to be the mainstay of each of the S series models, and for the S3, it was distinguishable by a lower bonnet line, the incorporation of the revised twin headlight configuration, and repositioning of indicator lights.
J.H. Falconer of Purley in Surrey bought this Standard Steel Saloon new, through Jack Barclay Ltd. His order was completed in February 1964, and the car supplied in the livery it retains today of Garnet over Shell Grey, and corresponding grey upholstery and trim. Specific details of the build were that the car be equipped with Rolls-Royce electric windows, a radio and combined parking and blinking lights, the car took to the road registered as '246 HLB'.
Seven years later, through Jack Barclay the car was sold to a Lady Hamilton of Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, and from her it passed to Elton John some years later, again at the hands of the same dealer.
As with the other Bentley motor cars the S3 was comprehensively restored approximately 15 years ago by Weybridge Automobiles and has been serviced and maintained by them since. Their work has included fitting air conditioning and a modern CD player.
The Bentley is road taxed, and has a current MoT, it is sold with factory record sheets.
Affectionately known as 'Two Tone', Sir Elton John listed this Bentley amongst a handful of cars in the collection that he has used extensively. His staff associate this car with various royal occasions.
Derek Baulcombe, John's main driver recalls taking Elton John to Windsor Castle in this car for the Queen's birthday an occasion where John performed for the Queen and afterwards danced with her.
John Newman, Elton John's fleet manager, remembers driving 'Two Tone' into the park to collect Sir Elton from the Queen Mother's house. Baulcombe describes this car as 'a stately car, a pleasure to drive, associated with many happy memories'.
Registration No. VUU 777
Chassis No. B160 EC
Engine No. BEC 80
Two tone garnet over silver, with grey leather interior
Engine: V8, overhead valves, 6,230cc; Gearbox: four speed automatic; Suspension: front, independent with wishbones, rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four-wheel drums. Right hand drive.
Sir Elton John's Collection is dominated by coachbuilt Continental Bentley models, but the post-war period of the company's production, reflecting the changing world of motor car production, in reality was mainly given over to a single coachwork design, the Standard Steel Saloon.
It made its debut on the 1947 Mark VI model, and even in the immediate pre-war days its styling lines were beginning to come to fruition. As the individual coachbuilders suffered a decline in demand due to the increasingly excellent quality of production bodywork, so in turn Bentley realised that the quality of coachwork was in decline. By building their own production coachwork, they were able to ensure that their cars were consistently of the highest quality, and invariably the remaining coachbuilding firms could do little to better the stylish, well-appointed bodywork that the manufacturer itself provided.
The Standard Steel Saloon continued to be the mainstay of each of the S series models, and for the S3, it was distinguishable by a lower bonnet line, the incorporation of the revised twin headlight configuration, and repositioning of indicator lights.
J.H. Falconer of Purley in Surrey bought this Standard Steel Saloon new, through Jack Barclay Ltd. His order was completed in February 1964, and the car supplied in the livery it retains today of Garnet over Shell Grey, and corresponding grey upholstery and trim. Specific details of the build were that the car be equipped with Rolls-Royce electric windows, a radio and combined parking and blinking lights, the car took to the road registered as '246 HLB'.
Seven years later, through Jack Barclay the car was sold to a Lady Hamilton of Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, and from her it passed to Elton John some years later, again at the hands of the same dealer.
As with the other Bentley motor cars the S3 was comprehensively restored approximately 15 years ago by Weybridge Automobiles and has been serviced and maintained by them since. Their work has included fitting air conditioning and a modern CD player.
The Bentley is road taxed, and has a current MoT, it is sold with factory record sheets.
Affectionately known as 'Two Tone', Sir Elton John listed this Bentley amongst a handful of cars in the collection that he has used extensively. His staff associate this car with various royal occasions.
Derek Baulcombe, John's main driver recalls taking Elton John to Windsor Castle in this car for the Queen's birthday an occasion where John performed for the Queen and afterwards danced with her.
John Newman, Elton John's fleet manager, remembers driving 'Two Tone' into the park to collect Sir Elton from the Queen Mother's house. Baulcombe describes this car as 'a stately car, a pleasure to drive, associated with many happy memories'.
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.