Bentley S1

Last updated

Bentley S1
Bentley S1 registered January 1959 4887cc.JPG
Overview
Manufacturer Bentley Motors Limited (1931)
Production1955–1959
3,538 produced
Assembly Crewe, Cheshire, England
Body and chassis
Class Full-size luxury car
Body style 4-door saloon
2-door coupe
Layout FR layout
Platform separate chassis
RelatedBentley S1 Continental
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
Powertrain
Engine 4.9 L I6
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 123 in (3,124 mm) [1]
127 in (3,226 mm)
Length211.75 in (5,378 mm) [1]
Width1,898.65 mm (74+34 in)
Height1,631.95 mm (64+14 in)
Kerb weight 1,924 kg (4,242 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor R Type
Successor S2

The Bentley S1 (originally simply "Bentley S") was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 until 1959. The S1 was derived from Rolls-Royce's complete redesign of its standard production car after World War II, the Silver Cloud. Each was its maker's last standard production car with an independent chassis. The S-series Bentley was given the Rolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 engine in late 1959 and named the S2. Twin headlamps and a facelift to the front arrived in late 1962, resulting in the S3. In late 1965, the S3 was replaced by the new unitary construction Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow-derived T series.

Contents

Bentley standard steel saloon

1959 Bentley S1 rear 1959 Bentley S1 (2718892350) (cropped).jpg
1959 Bentley S1 rear

The car was announced at the end of April 1955, [2] and it was noted that the existing Continental model would continue. The new standard steel saloon replaced the R type standard steel saloon which had been in production, with modifications, since 1946. It was a more generously sized five- or six-seater saloon, with the body manufactured in pressed steel with stressed skin construction. Doors, bonnet [hood] and luggage locker lid [trunk lid] were of aluminium.

Having a totally new external appearance, although with the traditional radiator grille, the main differences from the R type were:

Standard and long wheelbase saloon and chassis

1959 Bentley S1 interior 1959 Bentley S1 (2718892368).jpg
1959 Bentley S1 interior

As with the preceding Mark VI and R type Bentleys, there was almost no difference between standard Bentley and Rolls-Royce models; this Bentley S differing only in its radiator grille shape and badging from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I.

The models shared the 4.9 L (4887 cc/298 in³) straight-6 engine. They were the last vehicles to be powered by descendants of the engine originally used in the Rolls-Royce Twenty from 1922 to 1929. The bore was 95.25 mm (3.750 in), stroke was 114.3 mm (4.50 in) and compression ratio 6.6:1. Twin SU carburetors were fitted, with upgraded models from 1957. A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard.

Two wheelbases were produced: 123 inches (3,100 mm) and, from 1957, 127 inches (3,200 mm).

A standard-wheelbase car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957 had a top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 13.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 16.1 miles per imperial gallon (17.5 L/100 km; 13.4 mpgUS) was recorded. The test car, which had the optional power steering, cost £6305 including taxes of £1803. [1]

Production

S Continental

Bentley S Continental
1956 Bentley Continental coupe by Park Ward.jpg
Park Ward Continental Fixed-Head Coupé,
also available as a Drophead Coupé
Overview
Manufacturer Park Ward, London,
on chassis provided by
Bentley Motors (1931) Limited
Assembly Crewe, Cheshire, then London
Body and chassis
Class Full-size luxury car
Body style 4-seater 2-door fixed-head coupé
or drophead coupé
Layout FR layout
Platform separate chassis
Related Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
Powertrain
Engine 4.9 L I6
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 123 in (3,100 mm) [1]
3,225.8 mm (127.00 in)
Length210.5 in (5,350 mm) [1]
Width1,828.8 mm (72.00 in)
Height1,587.5 mm (62+12 in)
Kerb weight 1,803.5 kg (3,976 lb)

A high-performance version S Continental (chassis only) was introduced six months after the introduction of the S1. Lighter weight fixed-head and drophead coupé bodies were provided to special order (for a premium of about 50%) by H. J. Mulliner & Co., Park Ward, James Young and Freestone & Webb. A pre-production 2-seater fixed-head coupé on the new chassis was designed and built for the Bentley factory by Pininfarina.

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley</span> British luxury automobile manufacturer owned by Volkswagen Group

Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Headquartered in Crewe, England, the company was founded by W. O. Bentley (1888–1971) in 1919 in Cricklewood, North London, and became widely known for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930. Bentley has been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group since 1998 and consolidated under VW's premium brand arm Audi since 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Arnage</span> British luxury car

The Bentley Arnage is a full-size luxury car manufactured by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England, from 1998 to 2010. The Arnage and its Rolls-Royce-branded sibling, the Silver Seraph, were introduced in the spring of 1998. They were the first entirely new designs for the two marques since 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud</span> Luxury saloon produced by Rolls-Royce

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud is a luxury automobile produced by Rolls-Royce Limited from April 1955 to March 1966. It was the core model of the Rolls-Royce range during that period. The Silver Cloud replaced the Silver Dawn and was, in turn, replaced by the Silver Shadow. The John P. Blatchley design was a major change from the pre-war models and the highly derivative Silver Dawn. As part of a range rationalisation, the Bentley S1 was made essentially identical, apart from its radiator grille and badging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley T-series</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley T-series is a luxury automobile produced by Bentley Motors Limited in the United Kingdom from 1965 to 1980. It was announced and displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 5 October 1965 as a Bentley-badged version of the totally redesigned Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow</span> Car model

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a full-size luxury car produced by British automaker Rolls-Royce in various forms from 1965 to 1980. It was the first of the marque to use unitary body and chassis construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn</span> Motor vehicle

The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn is a full-size luxury car that was produced by Rolls-Royce at their Crewe works between 1949 and 1955. It was the first Rolls-Royce car to be offered with a factory built body which it shared, along with its chassis, with the Bentley Mark VI until 1952 and then the Bentley R Type until production finished in 1955. The car was first introduced as an export only model. The left hand drive manual transmission models had a column gear change, while right hand drives had a floor change by the door. In the British home market the Silver Dawn only became available from October 1953, with the introduction of the model corresponding to the Bentley R Type.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Continental R</span> Grand tourer manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Bentley Motors from 1991 to 2003

The Bentley Continental R is a luxury coupé manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Bentley Motors from 1991 to 2003. It was the first Bentley to feature a body not shared with a Rolls-Royce model since the 1965 S3 Continental and was the first to use the GM 4L80-E transmission. The Continental R was the fastest, most expensive, and most powerful Bentley automobile of its day. It was also the most expensive production car in the world at its introduction. A convertible derivative, called the Bentley Azure, was launched in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Mark VI</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley Mark VI is an automobile from Bentley which was produced from 1946 until 1952.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley R Type</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley R Type is the second series of post-war Bentley automobiles, produced from 1952 to 1955 as the sucessor the Mark VI. Essentially a larger-boot version of the Mk VI, the R type is regarded by some as a stop-gap before the introduction of the S series cars in 1955. As with its predecessor, a standard body was available as well as coachbuilt versions by firms including H. J. Mulliner & Co., Park Ward, Harold Radford, Freestone and Webb, Carrosserie Worblaufen and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley S2</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley S2 is a luxury car produced by Bentley from 1959 until 1962. The successor to the S1, it featured the new Rolls-Royce–Bentley L-series V8 engine and improved air conditioning made possible by that engine's increased output. Power steering was also standard, and a new dashboard and steering wheel were introduced. Some early S2s were built with the earlier S1 dashboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley S3</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley S3 is a four-door luxury car produced by Bentley from late 1962 until 1965, as the sucessor of the Bentley S2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Turbo R</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley Turbo R is a high-performance automobile which was produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1985 to 1999. The "R" stood for "roadholding", to set it apart from its predecessor. It initially inherited the turbocharged engine from the Mulsanne Turbo and also sported a retuned suspension and wider tyres on aluminium alloy wheels, a first for a Bentley. From the 1987 model year, however, the Turbo R's V8 engine was retuned with fuel injection for added torque. Motor Trend called the Turbo R "the first Bentley in decades deserving of the famous name" in their review of the car on its introduction to the United States in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Continental</span> Motor vehicle

Bentley Continental refers to several models of cars produced by Bentley Motors. Originally, it referred to a special chassis for engines more powerful than the usual offering, supplied to a selected number of coachbuilders for the fitting of very light-weight coachwork designed under Rolls-Royce supervision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce Corniche</span> Motor vehicle

The Rolls-Royce Corniche is a two-door, front-engine, rear wheel drive luxury car produced by Rolls-Royce Motors as a hardtop coupé and as a convertible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce Phantom II</span> Ultra-luxury flagship automobile in its second generation

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II was the third and last of Rolls-Royce's 40/50 hp models, replacing the New Phantom in 1929. It used an improved version of the New Phantom engine in an all-new chassis. A "Continental" version, with a short wheelbase and stiffer springs, was offered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Speed Six</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley 6½ Litre and the high-performance Bentley Speed Six were rolling chassis produced by Bentley from 1926 to 1930. The Speed Six, introduced in 1928, became the most successful racing Bentley. Two Bentley Speed Sixes became known as the Blue Train Bentleys after their owner Woolf Barnato raced the Blue Train in 1930.

Park Ward was a British coachbuilder founded in 1919 which operated from Willesden in North London. In the 1930s, backed by Rolls-Royce Limited, it made technical advances which enabled the building of all-steel bodies to Rolls-Royce's high standards. Bought by Rolls-Royce in 1939, it merged with H. J. Mulliner & Co. in 1961 to form Mulliner Park Ward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce 20/25</span> Motor vehicle

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 was the second of Rolls-Royce Ltd's pre-war entry level models. Built between 1929 and 1936, it was tremendously popular, becoming the most successful selling inter-war Rolls-Royce. Its success enabled Rolls-Royce to survive the economic difficulties of the Great Depression years and remain one of world's great brands. A total of 3,827 20/25s were produced, of which over 70% are still on the road today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Young (coachbuilder)</span> British coachbuilding company

James Young Limited was a top class British coachbuilding business in London Road, Bromley, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce 25/30</span> Motor vehicle

The Rolls-Royce 25/30 built between 1936 and 1938 is an updated version of the 20/25 with larger engine to provide more power, as over-large bodies had often been fitted to the earlier model leading to complaints about its performance.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Bentley S Series". The Motor . 10 July 1957.
  2. New Rolls-Royce And Bentley Road Performance Improved FROM OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT. The Times, Wednesday, 27 April 1955; pg. 9; Issue 53205; col B