1956 Bentley S1

This stunningly presented S1 is a Dutch car, presumably being sold in the country rather than being imported after sale due to a Dutch sales document and a Dutch equivalent of a V5.

The current Dutch owner has clearly taken it upon themselves to treat this historic icon with the utmost of respect and care as clearly seen from the condition of the car inside and out. The car does not look as though it has wanted for anything during its time, and we feel confident should the language barrier not have been in the way that the current owner would agree.

Owners of these such cars tend to be of a disposition toward being able and willing to care for these cars, physically, mentally and financially and indeed the Bentley comes with a full workshop manual instructing on how to perform various routine maintenance.

The first thing that strikes you when seeing the car is the sheer size of it, with its long reaching bonnet and elegantly sleek sloping rear. The next thing to raise interest is the paint, and just how good it looks for being 65 years old, testament then to the love and care this car has received. Another key point when glancing over the body is just how well this car is put together, every panel gap is tight and uniform, the wheels fit perfectly in the arches and the bumpers perfectly accentuate the front and rear of the side profile of the car.

The chrome work around the car is in great condition and whilst some overly fussy concourse types might notice the odd failing here and there it seems to be extremely minor cosmetics on an otherwise fantastic car. The wheels trims are remarkable and fit without any rippling or corrosion in the chrome, something that should allow prospective buyer to rest easy knowing that any re-chroming will be kept to a minimum if not completely ruling it out. All lights are thought to be working as they should with no cracking, crazing or hazing of the lenses. The badges around the car are in great condition also, proudly displaying the pride of British luxury manufacturing with the flying ‘B’ leading the charge.

Whilst the inside of the Bentley looks to be used, the leather is still in remarkably good condition presuming it’s the original material, save for one small rip on the driver’s side seat bolster. We’d imagine that with a bit of leather feed and perhaps and re-dye it could be restored back to near showroom condition. There are plenty of well-respected leather treatment companies that specialize in interior wizardry.

Along the same lines, the wood trim inside looks to be ever so slightly tired with regards to a few minor scratches, although after 65 years of use the little wear and tear there is gives the car its character. Should you wish to remedy this, we can’t imagine it detracts much from the car either way, we’d imagine it would be relatively simple. Some of the rubber trim pieces however might well be on the list to change, just to ensure the waterproofness of the cabin should you be brave enough to take it out on one of the many rainy days here in the UK.

Other than those minor points, the cabin looks to be a wonderful place to be, that has stood the test of time, the dash looks fantastic, and the classic dials are a real nostalgic treat, with the 3 spoke steering wheel topping off the interior nicely.

The engine bay of the Bentley looks to be in good working order with evidence of fresh gaskets and other signs of routine, regular upkeep and care. All pipes visible seem to be of good quality and the wiring and earths seen in the gallery below look to also be in a healthy condition. The underside appears to have had preventative treatments in the past with very little damage, corrosion or component failure if at all. There does seem to be some ‘wetness’ underneath what looks to be the engine bay, but it doesn’t seem to be a constant oil leak. In conclusion, the underside mirrors the rest of the car, in good condition but perhaps could benefit from a careful, considered tidying up. 

As far as history goes, having failed to overcome the language barrier with the owner, there is not much to write about regarding the history save from the owner’s manual, workshop manual and purchase receipt shown in the gallery. We would feel safe assuming though that the owner would have a record of the work carried out to the car and would not think that a car or owner like this would be so dismissive of documentation. 

A British export, cared for in Belgium, now back up for sale in the UK, it could be the start of an interesting story and with a visual draw such as the big Bentley, its one that would draw in quite a crowd. We would imagine that this car would provide new owners with huge amounts of enjoyment and pride, with touring ability you could have confidence in taking to shows or down the golf club for the summer months. It still looks like nothing else on the road and would feel simply amazing to be seen in and to pilot around.

The Bentley shares its makeup with the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and a bevy of other vehicles values of which soar well into lofty figures. This car brings the same DNA, the same thrill, looks, feel, exclusivity and prestige for a fraction of that cost. With that in mind then, if that’s something you’re in the market for, we’d say this was an absolute bargain. 

We estimate this Bentley S1 to reach anywhere between €30,000 - €45,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium; and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.