Beschreibung:

Colour: Gunmetal Grey with Mint Blue leather interior Cylinders: 6; 4,887cc Produced: 1955-1959 Production: 58 (S1 Continental Flying Spur) ‘The success of the first Continental ensured that a sporting version would obviously be offered as part of the S-Type range… having a high-compression engine… its maximum speed and acceleration were impressive, 0-80mph in 21.3 seconds and a best speed of about 120mph… Once again real Bentley performance... ’ Adams & Roberts, A Pride of Bentleys, 1978. Described by The Autocar as, ‘A new stage in the evolution of the post-war Bentley,’ the magnificent Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952. With the arrival of the final generation of six-cylinder cars - the all-new Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type - in April 1955, the Continental lost a little of its individuality but none of its exclusivity. Later, in October that same year, the Bentley Continental became available on the ‘S’ chassis. ‘It brings Bentley back to the forefront of the world’s fastest cars,’ said Autocar of the H J Mulliner-styled fastback, which was the quickest four/five-seater saloon of its day. The Bentley S-Type’s new box-section chassis incorporated improved brakes and suspension and an enlarged (to 4,887cc) and more powerful version of the existing inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, which for the first time was identical in specification in its Rolls and Bentley forms. The Continental version came with a higher compression ratio, shorter radiator and higher overall gearing and, for a time at least, could be ordered with right-hand change manual transmission. Important S1 Continental developments included the phasing in of power-assisted steering (standardised in 1958) and (from chassis ‘BC21BG’) a more powerful engine incorporating an increased compression ratio, larger carburettors and bigger inlet valves. As had been the case with the original R-Type, the new S-Type Continental was only ever available as a coachbuilt car; the designs produced by independent coachbuilders for the S1 Continental chassis being among era’s the most stylish, although – arguably – none ever improved on H J Mulliner’s sublime original. For those customers wishing to combine Continental style with four-door practicality, H J Mulliner offered the ‘Flying Spur’, another well proportioned design that inherited all the between-the-wars grandeur of the great European Grands Routières. In 1957 the Continental Flying Spur cost £7,994 - a staggering 44% more than a ‘standard steel’ Bentley S1 saloon - making it one of the most expensive - and exclusive - automobiles of its day. There can be little doubt though, that those fortunate enough to experience the comfort, performance and, above all, sheer quality provided at first hand were convinced the high price was fully justified. This left-hand drive Bentley S1 Continental Flying Spur was delivered new to Paris on 19th September 1958 for the Motor Show, subsequently returning to the factory to be converted to US specification and delivered to its first owner - one E MacDonald - in New York, USA on 26th February 1959. Mr MacDonald kept the car until 1964 when it was sold to Bill Davis, of Charleston, West Virginia who owned it until 1981. The Flying Spur’s third owner, Theodore Reich, of Portland, Oregon enjoyed the car for the next eight years before selling it to Stephen Harbison, of Santa Monica, California in 1989. The current (fifth) owner bought it from Mr Harbison in 2006. The car, which has the optional air conditioning, is said to start and run perfectly in typical silence. Its Gunmetal Grey livery is original, as is the superb Mint Blue leather interior, which features pristine woodwork and new carpets. Sold only because its owner has acquired a two-door, fastback-style, S1 Continental, this wonderful Flying Spur comes with UK registration papers and roadworthiness certific