Superb 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback saloon for sale.
One of less than 120 units built. Documented since day 1, 7 owners from new and 107,000 miles from new. Ex-Hugh Harben.
Mechanical overhaul in 2007, stunning combination of dark blue over the original red leather upholstery.
Immediately available in France. Taxes paid in the E.U. and Switzerland.
Since its introduction in 1952, the Continental name was associated with comfortable, luxurious high-speed driving. The Bentley Continental differs largely from the factory “standard-steel” saloon, as it was coachbuilt outside the Bentley factory by a handful of selected craftsmen.
The S-series Bentley, introduced in 1955 and replacing the R-Type, kept the same scheme of a traditional, factory built saloon car, and also offered as a coachbuilt Continental version. Just like its predecessor, H.J. Mulliner offered a wonderful fastback design. Of the 145 Continental S1 built, 118 were coached by Mulliner and around 100 are believed to remain in existence.
The Bentley Continental S1 Fastback we are happy to offer for sale was delivered new in the U.K. in August 1956. Its first owner, fashion magnate Horace Lindsay, took delivery of the cream over red leather Bentley on August 10th, 1956 at Jack Barclay’s in London. He serviced the car regularly with Bentley in London until the summer of 1958. At this time, Lindsay was murdered by her mistress’ husband. The Bentley S1 Fastback became famous in what the press called the “Love Wagon” case.
The car was purchased by a Mr. Freeman through the H.R. Owen dealership, trading in a 1956 Mercedes 300 C. In 1960, he was involved in a minor collision damaging the front left fender. He decided to repaint the car a two-tone grey and blue, a color scheme which was new in the Bentley and Rolls-Royce catalogue at the time. In 1963, he sold the car to Army Colonel Alun Davies who kept it for two years.
In 1965, the car was purchased by a famous U.K. collector and Bentley Drivers’ Club president, the late Hugh Harben. Mr. Harben is most famously known for restoring the Blue Train Bentley. The S1 Fastback and the Blue Train were both purchased virtually at the same time by Mr. Harben.
Even though the S1 Fastback only was 9 years old at the time, Harben extensively researched its history. In letters dated 1965, Harben corresponds with Freeman discussing the quality of the car and its life. Harben notes that by then, the car “showed nearly no sign of the car’s 62,000 miles,” and that it had always been maintained by Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealers.
Hugh Harben kept the car until 1993. The car was sold at auction to an Italian gentleman. He registered the car in the name of his London company. In 2004, he sold the car to Mr. Crow through Bentley expert Peter Byrne. In his expertise report, Mr. Byrne noted that the car was in fine condition and that “it would be hard to find a better right hand drive example anywhere.”
In 2008, the current owner purchased the car through a U.K.-based dealer. The car, showing 104,000 miles was freshly out of a complete paintjob as well as a GBP 14,000 mechanical overhaul. In the current ownership, this Bentley S1 Continental Fastback was regularly used and maintained, covered 3,000 miles in the past 4 years.
The Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner is a one of Bentley’s most desirable post-war designs. Geared towards sheer driving pleasure and much more balanced than the R-Type, this Bentley S1 Continental Fastback is an exceptional opportunity to purchase an unmolested and documented example with excellent provenance.
Retaining most of its original features and its lovely original upholstery, this Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner is awaiting its new custodian in France with U.K. and Swiss road registrations.
One of less than 120 units built. Documented since day 1, 7 owners from new and 107,000 miles from new. Ex-Hugh Harben.
Mechanical overhaul in 2007, stunning combination of dark blue over the original red leather upholstery.
Immediately available in France. Taxes paid in the E.U. and Switzerland.
Since its introduction in 1952, the Continental name was associated with comfortable, luxurious high-speed driving. The Bentley Continental differs largely from the factory “standard-steel” saloon, as it was coachbuilt outside the Bentley factory by a handful of selected craftsmen.
The S-series Bentley, introduced in 1955 and replacing the R-Type, kept the same scheme of a traditional, factory built saloon car, and also offered as a coachbuilt Continental version. Just like its predecessor, H.J. Mulliner offered a wonderful fastback design. Of the 145 Continental S1 built, 118 were coached by Mulliner and around 100 are believed to remain in existence.
The Bentley Continental S1 Fastback we are happy to offer for sale was delivered new in the U.K. in August 1956. Its first owner, fashion magnate Horace Lindsay, took delivery of the cream over red leather Bentley on August 10th, 1956 at Jack Barclay’s in London. He serviced the car regularly with Bentley in London until the summer of 1958. At this time, Lindsay was murdered by her mistress’ husband. The Bentley S1 Fastback became famous in what the press called the “Love Wagon” case.
The car was purchased by a Mr. Freeman through the H.R. Owen dealership, trading in a 1956 Mercedes 300 C. In 1960, he was involved in a minor collision damaging the front left fender. He decided to repaint the car a two-tone grey and blue, a color scheme which was new in the Bentley and Rolls-Royce catalogue at the time. In 1963, he sold the car to Army Colonel Alun Davies who kept it for two years.
In 1965, the car was purchased by a famous U.K. collector and Bentley Drivers’ Club president, the late Hugh Harben. Mr. Harben is most famously known for restoring the Blue Train Bentley. The S1 Fastback and the Blue Train were both purchased virtually at the same time by Mr. Harben.
Even though the S1 Fastback only was 9 years old at the time, Harben extensively researched its history. In letters dated 1965, Harben corresponds with Freeman discussing the quality of the car and its life. Harben notes that by then, the car “showed nearly no sign of the car’s 62,000 miles,” and that it had always been maintained by Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealers.
Hugh Harben kept the car until 1993. The car was sold at auction to an Italian gentleman. He registered the car in the name of his London company. In 2004, he sold the car to Mr. Crow through Bentley expert Peter Byrne. In his expertise report, Mr. Byrne noted that the car was in fine condition and that “it would be hard to find a better right hand drive example anywhere.”
In 2008, the current owner purchased the car through a U.K.-based dealer. The car, showing 104,000 miles was freshly out of a complete paintjob as well as a GBP 14,000 mechanical overhaul. In the current ownership, this Bentley S1 Continental Fastback was regularly used and maintained, covered 3,000 miles in the past 4 years.
The Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner is a one of Bentley’s most desirable post-war designs. Geared towards sheer driving pleasure and much more balanced than the R-Type, this Bentley S1 Continental Fastback is an exceptional opportunity to purchase an unmolested and documented example with excellent provenance.
Retaining most of its original features and its lovely original upholstery, this Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner is awaiting its new custodian in France with U.K. and Swiss road registrations.