1956 Bentley S1 Saloon

(The writer of this listing also took the photographs, seeing both the car and the owner in person.)

This good-looking Bentley S1 has had only three keepers across its entire life. The first kept the car right up until 2002, while its present owner, Peter, acquired the car in 2018.

‘I feel we’re very much just the custodians of these beautiful cars,’ he says; ‘passing them on from one generation to the next. It’s our job to look after them along the way.’

Peter, who is very much a Bentley enthusiast, has certainly taken that view pretty seriously. During his stewardship, the S1 has seen £6000 spent on a bare metal respray and north of £7k on the interior and upholstery - as well as general and extensive mechanical fettling. (invoices for these works are not available in the gallery but will be supplied to the new owner)

The Bentley has also been fortunate that both its previous owners were willing and able to spend considerable sums on the car, both in terms of maintenance and refurbishment, whenever they saw fit. This included some fairly extensive engine rebuilding with the first owner and partial restoration with the second.

The S1 now sits resplendent in metallic Tudor Grey - arguably a more subtle and intriguing colour than the original silver, and one that sets off the red interior rather well.

‘It’s been a superb car to drive,’ says Peter, who has used the big saloon (sparingly) for a variety of tasks - be that day trips out or for taking him to the golf course.

It’s hard to believe that this still rather rakish silhouette is getting on for seventy years old, such is the generally taut appearance of the panelwork. Gaps between doors, bodywork and lids are even and symmetrical across the car - no mean achievement when you look at the size and relatively complex shape of the boot for instance. Chrome details and folds in the metalwork line up rather well. If you look hard enough in the right light, you may notice some slight ripples in the sides, but the overall impression is one of a good-looking and solid car.

Of course, that fairly new paintwork helps too. It retains a deep lustre and is free of polishing swirl marks. There are no signs of corrosion coming through and the colour is consistent across the whole of the car. Areas around the sills and the bases of door pillars look strong and healthy. Tucked away areas such as under the doors look to be solid and well covered too. From a few paces away, the Bentley makes a strong and very positive impression.

Perfectionists and concours Judges will be less enthusiastic when they get very close - especially in the nooks and crannies around chrome detail and rubber seals. The seals themselves (obviously pretty new) are largely excellent - both supple and retaining their deep black colour (apart from a couple of touches of overspray). However, their edges and their mountings (and the paint here too) can be a little uneven - though, as said - only when you look fairly closely. There are also one or two uneven areas - though tiny - in the seal around the windscreen. There is also a small area of delamination on the bottom offside corner of the windscreen.

There are some big areas of chrome on the Bentley and these are largely excellent. The radiator grill and the (new) front bumper really shine, as do most of the larger components. There is some very light pitting on smaller items, but this in no way detracts from the impression the car makes.

As said, those intent on using this as a show car might find a few details in need of attention, but those wanting a solid and good-looking driver’s car will be well pleased.

Your first thought on opening any of the Bentley’s big doors is probably going to be; wow! That full-on red leather interior and richly-figured woodwork make for a very sumptuous feel. All that hide is less than two years old and, with only gentle use, still looks like that of a new car. The plump seat cushions, bolsters and backs are perfectly shaped, well stitched and scratch and (most definitely) fade free. The detailing on the doors is well-executed, evenly stitched and straight.

As also mentioned, that refurbished woodwork (by Chapman and Cliff) is definitely a highlight feature of the car - beautifully coloured and smoothly lacquered. Bookmatching around the door tops is particularly nice. The rear picnic tables are a beautiful accessory, being in as fine a condition as the dash. They operate quite smoothly on their chromed (corrosion-free) struts. In general, the chrome in the cabin - door furniture and elsewhere, is of a very high order of finish and firmly mounted. The steering wheel, instruments and switches are original and carry the gentle patina of use. They fit perfectly with their veneer surround. The Pioneer hifi is, of course, later, though very discreetly positioned.

Carpets are, like the leather, vivid in colour, clean and nicely tailored to the car. This goes for those on the lower door sections too. Looking up, the headlining is also clean and tight.

Looking at the pictures, the interior might give the impression of being a little overpowering, but somehow, Bentley - and the craftsmen who work on these cars - always manage to add something more than pure ostentation. There is definitely flamboyance, but also a stateliness, which the new owner will enjoy alongside the mechanical virtues of the S1.

The engine bay is that of a very sound working classic. All components show use, but these are the scuffs of years of vigilant adjustment and maintenance rather than neglect. All bolts and clips look very usable, and there are no signs of leaks from carburettors, manifolds or the engine block and head themselves. The tall radiator and its fan look to be in very good shape. The wiring looks sound and pipes and hoses are similarly in excellent working order. There is some very light surface corrosion along (bonnet) hinges and brackets, but otherwise the engine compartments are rust free. The big six-cylinder starts readily - it has electronic ignition - and runs smoothly and quietly from the off, without smoke, ticks or rattles.

The Bentley’s undercarriage has not undergone the same level of restoration as the bodywork, though, as the history shows, all the running gear has been well maintained throughout the car’s life. The main suspension components - arms, track rods and springs, look to be robust. (Rear leaf springs are inboard and not easy to see). Sills are good and jacking points strong, though with understandable surface corrosion. Larger chassis components look to be strong. Most bolts look very usable though one or two would need more than a few minutes attention if they were to come loose. The exhaust looks fine and its chromed end section is new. Brake assemblies appear to be free-moving and robust, while the steel wheels themselves and their chromed wheel covers are in fine shape. The inner wheel arches look to be very good and tyres are new.

As well as a its owner’s manual, a substantial workshop manual and the original receipt (rather large), the Bentley comes with a hefty and reassuring stack of bills. As the invoices show, all the owners have been willing to invest substantial sums of money in the car’s upkeep, with plenty of high three-figure and four figure invoices - across all decades - present in the history file. These include new pistons (at 31,000 miles!) with the fist owner, substantial mechanical refettlings with the second and further rebuildings with the third. As well as endless perishables along the way.

The receipts from much of the mechanical work done during Philip’s stewardship are included, but, at the time of photographing, not all of the latest invoices for bodywork and interior were available to see. However, should a potential bidder find them essential to view, they can easily be made available.

One of the most reassuring aspects of the history is the knowledge that at no time has the upkeep of the Bentley been allowed to lapse, and undue stress been caused to the car as a result. Nor is the S1 in need of any remedial work. Good to know.

This is very much a ‘buy to use’ classic; a well-running, good-looking car with a ‘no secrets’ history file. As we have pointed out, although a very sound car, it probably isn’t one for the concours arenas. It has been maintained regardless of cost, but that ‘perfect finish’ has not been pursued to the nth degree required of such aficionados. However, what you do have is a sporting saloon that the touring driver can have great confidence in, and derive huge enjoyments from its looks, reliability and feel.

The S1 saloon shares its lines with some very exclusive machinery, the values of which climb well into five figures. This car will give you most all of the flavour of its sisters for probably between £29,000 and £38,000. That seems a fair price to pay for this much character and looks.

This particular car is located with the vendor in Dundee, Scotland; to get in touch with him please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

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