Bentley S1

Bentley standard steel saloon

The car was announced at the end of April 1955, and it was noted that the existing Continental model would continue. The new standard steel saloon replaced the R type standard steel saloon which had been in production, with modifications, since 1946. It was a more generously sized five- or six-seater saloon, with the body manufactured in pressed steel with stressed skin construction. Doors, bonnet [hood] and luggage locker lid [trunk lid] were of aluminium.

Having a totally new external appearance, although with the traditional radiator grille, the main differences from the R type were:

• three inches longer wheelbase
• lower build without reducing headroom and with an enlarged luggage boot [trunk]
• softer suspension with electrically operated control of rear dampers
• lighter steering and improved braking
• engine capacity increased to 4887cc, the same size as used in the Bentley Continental
• four-speed automatic gearbox was standard, with ability to select individual ratios if desired.

Standard and long wheelbase saloon and chassis

As with the preceding Mark VI and R type Bentleys, there was almost no difference between standard Bentley and Rolls-Royce models; this Bentley S differing only in its radiator grille shape and badging from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I.

The models shared the 4.9 L (4887 cc/298 in³) straight-6 engine. They were the last vehicles to be powered by descendants of the engine originally used in the Rolls-Royce Twenty from 1922 to 1929. The bore was 95.25 mm, stroke was 114.3 mm and compression ratio 6.6:1. Twin SU carburetors were fitted, with upgraded models from 1957. A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard.

Two wheelbases were produced: 123 in and, from 1957, 127 in.

A standard-wheelbase car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957 had a top speed of 103 mph and could accelerate from 0 - in 13.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 16.1 mpgimp was recorded. The test car, which had the optional power steering, cost £6305 including taxes of £1803.

Production

• S: 3,072 (145 with coachbuilt bodies)
• S long wheelbase: 35 (12 with coachbuilt bodies)

S Continental

also available as a Drophead Coupé on chassis provided by Bentley Motors (1931) Limited

United Kingdom: London, England (Park Ward: body) or drophead coupé 3225.8 mm A high-performance version S Continental (chassis only) was introduced six months after the introduction of the S1. Lighter weight fixed-head and drophead coupé bodies were provided to special order (for a premium of about 50%) by H. J. Mulliner & Co., Park Ward, James Young and Freestone & Webb. A pre-production 2-seater fixed-head coupé on the new chassis was designed and built for the Bentley factory by Pininfarina.

File:1956 Bentley S1 Continental PW 6069446660 (cropped).jpg|Park Ward File:1956 Bentley Continental S1 Park Ward (21859295666).jpg|Park Ward File:Oldtimer Show 2007 - 015 - Bentley (front).jpg|H. J. Mulliner File:Oldtimer Show 2007 - 016 - Bentley (rear).jpg|H. J. Mulliner File:1958 Bentley SL Continental - Flickr - Supermac1961.jpg|H. J. Mulliner

Production

• S Continental: 431

References

References

1. New Rolls-Royce And Bentley Road Performance Improved FROM OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT. ''The Times'', Wednesday, 27 April 1955; pg. 9; Issue 53205; col B
2. (10 July 1957). "The Bentley S Series". [[The Motor (magazine).