1963 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupé
- Colour
- Blue
A left-hand-drive 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupé, one of only 26 LHD examples among a total production run of 75, bodied to Vilhelm Koren's distinctive quad-headlamp design. Originally delivered to a Fort Worth, Texas owner, the car subsequently passed through the hands of American film actor Rod Taylor before later restoration to its current blue livery. It was shown at the 1987 Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Meet, where it placed third in the Bentley S class.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €280,625 (≈ $309K)
- 1963-03-01 →Factory deliveryBertha Wilkespartial documentation
Original purchaser, based in Fort Worth, Texas. Car was delivered new with left-hand drive configuration and various factory options.
- 1985 →Acquisition unknownSteven Kaypartial documentation
Los Angeles-based owner who acquired the car by late 1985, by which point it had already been refinished in its current color scheme. Showed the car at a national club meet in 1987.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRod Taylorpartial documentation
Attributed via a Rolls-Royce Owners Club ownership card; believed to be the actor known for roles in classic Hollywood films. Exact ownership dates are unrecorded.
Competition
- 19871987 Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Meet3rd in Bentley S class
Car was entered as a show exhibit by Steven Kay; judged within the Bentley S category at the national-level gathering.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1985Restoration
The car had been restored to its current blue livery prior to acquisition by Steven Kay in late 1985; precise date and scope of this work are not recorded.
Restoration timing is described only as having occurred before the 1985 change of ownership.
- —Modification
A later-model Becker Mexico radio was fitted in place of the original Koln unit, and tasteful air conditioning was added to the cabin.
Both modifications are noted as appropriate in character for the car.
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