1959 Bentley S2 Continental
In 1959 Bentley upgraded their flagship chassis to the 6¾-liter V8 including the S2 Continental which was intended as a driver’s car for more sporting coachwork.
For the most part the Continental line was limited to coupes and cabriolets with one exception being the four-door Flying Spur. These included the James Young Sports Saloon, H.J. Mulliner Coupé, H.J. Mulliner Flying Spur and Park Ward Drophead Coupé.
The open Drophead Coupé by Park Ward was new to the Bentley line. It was designed by Vilhelm Koren of Norway for Park Ward and uniquely featured a straight fender line. 125 of the 388 S2 Continentals were built with this Drophead Coupé design.
1959 Bentley S2 Continental Gallery
See full 1959 Bentley S2 Continental Gallery here
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1959 – 1962 |
| production | 388 |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| fuel feed | 2 Carburetors |
| displacement | 6230 cc / 380.18 in³ |
| bore | 104.14 mm / 4.1 in |
| stroke | 91.44 mm / 3.6 in |
| compression | 8.0:1 |
| body / frame | Body over Steel Ladder-Type Chassis |
| front tires | 8.00 x 15 |
| rear tires | 8.00 x 15 |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Independant w/Coil Springs |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs |
| wheelbase | 3124 mm / 123 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
Auction Sales History
1961 Bentley S2 Continental H.J. Mulliner ‘Flying Spur’ BC102LAR – sold for $297,000 The “Mockingbird Bentley”. Owned and driven for 34 years by film legend Gregory Peck. A U.S.-specification car with left-hand drive and air conditioning. Recipient of a recent body-up restoration. One of only 52 left-hand drive examples made.
Auction Source: 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions
1962 Bentley S2 Continental Coupe BC60LCZ – did not sell for $363,000 The Most Rare and Desirable S2 Continental. One of Only 27 Original Left-Hand- Drive Mulliner Coupes. Fascinating Southern California Provenance. Genuine Example with Original Chassis, Engine, and Coachwork. Well-Documented History with Just Four Owners from New.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company
1960 Bentley S2 Continental Coupé BC115AR – did not sell for €85,732
This right-hand drive S2 Continental from 1960 was delivered new in England. It was later sold to the United States, spending some time in Beverly Hills, California. Since 1988, it has resided in Europe. Today, the Continental is offered from a noted private collection, and it remains in outstanding overall condition, befitting its distinguished status as one of the world’s premier automobiles. Complete with a fascinating selection of documentation, the Continental includes copies of registration documents and correspondence between previous owners.
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
