Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner, 1965
Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Bentley Continental Flying Spur•
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Chassis No.: BC74LXE
Engine No.: 37EBC
US$201,600 USD | Sold
- 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur
- Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
- Engine no. 37EBC
- 6,230cc OHV Aluminum V8 Engine
- Twin SU Carburetors
- 205bhp
- 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Independent Front and Live-Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
- 4-wheel Girling drum brakes
- One of only 18 left-drive S3 Continental Flying Spurs produced
- Delivered new to Nova Scotia
- Well optioned from the factory
- The inspiration in name and design for today's Bentleys Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact motors.us@bonhams.com for scheduling.
- THE S3 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR
In the 1950s and 1960s the Bentley Continental was the world's ultimate Grand Tourer, a car in which you could set off from any European capital in the morning and arrive at Monte Carlo fresh enough to play the tables that same evening. With the arrival of the V8-engined version in 1959, this consummate ability was further enhanced. The V8 was, of course, the predominant power unit in Rolls-Royce's most important export market - the USA - so it was only natural that the Crewe firm would study the best American designs - principally those of Chrysler and Cadillac - for inspiration.
Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their 'Cloud and S-Type predecessors, though the duo's performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminum-alloy V8 engine. Although wider and shorter than the 'six' it replaced, the new power unit fitted relatively easily within the engine bay, relocation of the steering box from inside to outside of the chassis frame being the most obvious alteration to the previous arrangements.
Externally the new models appeared virtually unchanged, while beneath the skin Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission was now the only one on offer and power steering had been standardized.
Rolls-Royce had envisaged the Bentley Continental as exclusively a two-door car but late in 1957 the decision was taken to sanction the production of a four-door variation by H J Mulliner. Introduced on the S1 Continental and known as the 'Flying Spur', this design was a collaborative effort by Rolls-Royce's in-house styling department and H J Mulliner and bore a strong resemblance both to the two-door Continental and to existing coachbuilt four-door styles on Rolls-Royce and (non-Continental) Bentley chassis. To the Continental's existing qualities of pace and elegance, the Flying Spur added four-door practicality, a more spacious interior and generously proportioned boot.
Combining boulevard elegance with Bentley's sporting tradition, the Flying Spur body style continued on the V8-engined S2 Continental and was revised to incorporate the S3's four-headlamp front end following the latter's introduction in 1962.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Only 86 S3 Continental Flying Spurs were produced, and of those, a mere 18 were ordered in left hand drive, and this can only be one of very few to have been sold to Canada.
As new it was commissioned by Seymour W. Kenney of the Kenney Construction Company in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Ordered through Rolls-Royce of Canada, factory records denote its original specification to have stipulated that the car was finished in Belco Antelope paintwork (a taupe/grey hue) with a beige leather interior. The Bentley was equipped with full refrigeration as well as an additional heater, reflecting the swing in climates of its destination, while otherwise additional extras were modest, being limited to seat belts, Firestone whitewall tires and a 'Made in England' plate. Mr.
Kenney received the car in October 1965, by which time the heater was probably more regularly in use than the refrigeration. A prominent constructor in that area, Mr. Kenney's business appears to have capitulated in the mid-1970s during the construction of the Fenwick Tower for Dalhousie University, but in these earlier times things must have been going rather better for him to have been able to buy a Bentley Continental.
Information provided by the Rolls-Royce Owners Club also includes a copy of the Schoelkopf history records for the Continental, and those chart its ownership by Kenney to have ended by October 1972, when the car crossed the border to America and became the possession of Robert Stoddard of Worcester, Massachusetts. Thirteen years later it passed to noted Rolls-Royce and Bentley collector and restorer Robert 'Bob' Jefferson of Brookfield, Massachusetts. Ownership beyond this time is not noted, until the car was sold through Vantage Motorworks to the current custodian. By that time its Antelope Grey had been repainted to a more austere but arguably more elegant Tudor Grey.
Included in the acquisition, was $15,000 of refurbishment work including a mechanical review, replacement of all tires, a color sand of the paintwork and the supplying of a handbook and tools. That most recent purchase date was in June of 2008. Since coming into the collection only a modest accrual of miles has occurred and as such recommissioning is recommended at this point. Its interior remains in clean order, while externally the paintwork shows some light age to the most actively used aspects, such as door, hood and trunk edges.
Both rare and beautiful, this original Canadian delivered Bentley epitomizes everything that one expects from the brand and iconic model name.
Cost
740,376 AED
