1957 Bentley S1 Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner
- Engine
- Large-valve, large-carburetor high-performance variant, 8:1 compression ratio
- Colour
- Mason's Black
Bentley S1 Continental sports saloon (chassis BC4LDJ), bodied by H.J. Mulliner in the lightweight fastback style derived from the R-Type Continental, is one of only 22 left-hand-drive examples built to this configuration and was the first S1 Continental delivered with factory power steering. Originally commissioned by Cuban-American heiress and socialite Josefina Tarafa with an exceptional array of bespoke features and finished in a deep brown, the car was airfreighted to New York upon completion. It passed through several documented American owners before a comprehensive restoration in 2002 and a subsequent period of Swiss ownership, accumulating modest mileage throughout. Accompanied by factory build records, a car-specific owner's manual, original tools, and a bespoke fitted luggage set, the car represents a well-documented example of the model.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$912,500
- → 1976-05-01Factory deliveryJosefina Tarafafull documentation
Original owner who specially commissioned the car; took delivery in New York after it was airfreighted from England. Retained the car in its original livery until sale.
- 1976-05-01 →Private saleFred Sutherlandpartial documentation
Los Angeles-based owner who acquired the car at 65,000 km in original condition.
- → 1990Private saleDr. Patrick Mauerpartial documentation
Also Los Angeles-based; during his ownership the car was featured in Connoisseur magazine in 1988. Offered it for sale in 1990.
- 1990 →Private saleRichard Gormanpartial documentation
Bentley specialist operating Vantage Motorworks in Miami; used the car personally for roughly six years before selling it on.
- → 2002Private saleCraig Zinnpartial documentation
Hollywood, Florida owner; odometer read approximately 72,272 km at time of acquisition. In 2002 sent the car to Vantage Motorworks for cosmetic and mechanical restoration including a period air-conditioning fitment.
- 2007 →Private saleJean Pierre Slavicpartial documentation
Relocated the car to his Lake Geneva residence in Switzerland; had mechanical work completed there and commissioned a bespoke fitted luggage set. Drove approximately 2,000 km before selling.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent collector ownerpartial documentation
Acquired the car at around 82,780 km, approximately one year after Slavic's purchase, adding it to an established collection.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2002RestorationVantage Motorworks
Full cosmetic and mechanical restoration carried out: body refinished in Mason's Black lacquer, interior retrimmed in Connolly tan leather, burled walnut trim restored to concours standard, appropriate mechanical work completed, and a period-correct air-conditioning system sourced and installed in the manner Bentley would have performed in 1958.
Work commissioned during Craig Zinn's ownership.
- 2007Mechanical
Further mechanical restoration completed while the car was kept at Lake Geneva; a full set of bespoke fitted leather luggage was also made to measure for the boot.
Carried out during Jean Pierre Slavic's ownership in Switzerland.
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