Bentley S1 review - the 50s luxury classic car you MUST try before you die!

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Bentley S1

Before I begin telling you about this car, I want to express thanks to Doctor Andrew Roberts who has generously shared knowledge and literature on this car to enable me to create the video.

Now back to the Bentley S1, or as some call it, the S.

And we cannot begin talking about the S1 without talking about Rolls Royce, for it was Rolls Royce who in 1950 decided to begin work on the Silver Cloud which ultimately led to the S1 we have here today.

Grylls, who was heading up the project and the future chief engineer, was given a pretty thorough brief on his design. One of those elements was that the car needed to use the existing 4,887cc engine.

Remember, that B series straight six was an engine first brought to life in the early part of the 20th century and has been used in all sorts including British military vehicles - it’s not something to be sniffed at.

Coachwork however, was a little more fluid and Blatchley, who was new to the role at the time of Chief Stylist at Rolls created the coachwork which was constructed from 20 gauge steel on a box section - reportedly 50% stronger than the Silver Dawn.

The car used its predecessor’s coil and wishbone front suspension, with something new: a semi-trailing configuration to increase well movement and and a rear anti roll bar.

After 5 years of careful planning and work, the S1 and the Silver Cloud debuted in April 1955, marking an important moment in the joint history for both brands with the Silver Cloud being the first Rolls to share exactly the same engine with the Bentley counterpart.

But what’s in a name? Well, about £135 actually, because whilst the Rolls came in at £5,079, the Bentley was a bargain £4,944 - which is roughly four times the cost of the Rover P4 75 of that year.

But what of this car today - what’s her history after nearly 70 years of adventures? Well first of all, she comes armed with a giant suitcase of paperwork. Owned by the same person for over 50 years, there’s a familiar level of high end consistent good work across the car and the respray has been done to a jolly high standard.

A bit of sleuthing shows the car as first being registered in 1961, but this is due to the car coming over from Ireland and being re-registered I believe and nothing untoward is at hand.

With just over 3,500 of these made, I’ve only seen a few, but it’s definitely the nicest of the bunch and refreshingly honest. But what about the interior? Well let me talk you through that in a little more detail…