1959 Bentley S1 Continental Flying Spur Four Light Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner
- Engine
- 4.9L inline six-cylinder with dual SU carburettors, 8.0:1 compression, 178 bhp
Chassis BC41LFM is a Bentley S1 Continental bearing H.J. Mulliner's rare 'Four Light' Sports Saloon coachwork (style 7443/B), one of only fourteen S1 Continentals so bodied and one of three built in left-hand-drive configuration. Originally used as the factory's display car at the 1959 New York Automobile Show, it was subsequently retailed through New York dealer J.S. Inskip to prominent Manhattan Rolls-Royce and Bentley patron Vincent Shea. Factory build documentation survives and the car has undergone comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic work by British Bentley specialists.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €224,000 (≈ $246K)
- → 1959Factory deliveryBentley factory (display use)full documentation
The vehicle served as the manufacturer's display car at the 1959 New York Automobile Show before being transferred to retail sale.
- 1959 →Private saleVincent Sheafull documentation
A prominent Manhattan resident and long-standing Rolls-Royce and Bentley client who purchased the car together with his wife Madeline via the New York dealership J.S. Inskip; original build record survives with handwritten specification requests.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
During this ownership, the car underwent comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment by British specialist Padgett Motor Engineers, covering suspension, brakes, steering, cooling, exhaust, gearbox, and other systems.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationPadgett Motor Engineers
Wide-ranging mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment carried out by British Bentley specialists: new suspension, braking, steering, cooling systems, and exhaust fitted; gearbox, fuel, ignition, and electrical systems serviced; belts and tyres replaced; paintwork and brightwork detailed; final tune and adjustments completed.
Work undertaken during the current ownership period.
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