1957 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback
This extremely exclusive 1957 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback is one just 431 produced and one of the finest high-speed grand tourers ever built. In perhaps the models most striking coachwork, the lightweight fastback by H.J. Mulliner, the S1 is also one of the most beautiful of all postwar Bentleys. Following the success of the high-performance R-Type Continental, Bentleys S1 model garnered widespread praise as a highly capable road car of supreme luxury. This handsome example was newly sold by Brooklands Ltd. of London on May 3, 1957, to Donald Deeprose Esq. of Surrey, UK, finished in the stunning color combination of Circassian Blue with light blue upholstery. The Bentley was fitted from new with a HMV Smiths Radiomobile 200X radio, scuttle aerial, Dunlop Road Speed tires, wing lamps, and delivered with a tin of polish.
After being owned by UK-based enthusiasts, the Continental made its way to the US by 1985, by which time it had been purchased by Peter Sealey of New Canaan, Connecticut. Mr. Sealey soon moved to Los Altos Hills, California, and British car specialists DeLongs Automotive of Campbell, California, performed an overhaul of the engine and transmission in 1997. A host of service records on file document additional maintenance and repairs carried out over the years. A summary on file notes that Mr. Sealey spent over $43,000 servicing the Bentley in his care and sold it in 2006, after 21 years of ownership. In 2010, noted privateer racer Herb Wetanson of Southampton, New York, purchased the Bentley for his private collection. After 13 years of ownership, Mr. Wetanson sold the Bentley to the previous owner. The S1 appears to have never been fully restored, and presents in largely original condition with its fantastic blue leather displaying a wonderful patina. The car is accompanied by copies of factory documentation, an original brochure, and 25 pages of service records, as well as its former UK registration book, tool kit, jack, and spare.
H.J. Mulliners coach built Bentleys of the 1950s are some of the most exclusive and elegant motorcars of the era, and the S1 Continental Fastback was built in extremely limited numbers, with a roster of early owners that included some of the worlds most famous names. This distinctive example is well documented, fitted with its matching-numbers engine per accompanying factory records, finished in outstanding original colors, and features a wonderfully patinated interior. With this desirable host of attributes and its gorgeous coachwork, this S1 Continental is not to be overlooked.
Donald Deeprose Esq., Surrey, UK (acquired new via Brooklands Ltd. in 1957)
J.A.P. Harrison, Solihull, UK (acquired from the above in 1960)
J. Shuman, Chistlehurst, UK (acquired from the above in 1967)
Susan Dunster, Beckenham, UK (acquired from the above in 1976)
Robert A. McLaren, London, UK (acquired from the above in 1977)
Peter Sealey, New Canaan, Connecticut (acquired from the above in 1985)
Ratul Roy, New York City, New York (acquired by 2008)
Herb Wetanson, Southampton, New York (acquired in 2010)
Previous owner (acquired from the above)
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis: BC87BG
Engine: BC86B
- A Charismatic, Well-Documented Example of One of the Most Elegant and Exclusive Bentleys
- Delivered New in the Fantastic Colors of Circassian Blue with Light Blue Upholstery
- Fitted with Matching-Numbers Engine per Factory Records
- Never Fully Restored and Features a Wonderfully Patinated Interior
- Accompanied by Service and Build Records, Former UK Registration Book, Brochure, Tool Kit, Jack, and Spare
Price: $395,000