Bentley S1 - World Of Classic Cars - Rank 112

Bentley S1 Continental Coupe 1958

The Bentley S was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 until 1959.
Bentley (and Rolls-Royce)'s first true complete redesign of their standard production car after World War II and their last standard production car with an independent chassis.
These cars were given a new V8 engine in late 1959, and those cars are identified as S2. Twin headlamps and a facelift to the front arrived in late 1962, and those cars are known as S3.
This shape remained in production with those modifications until late 1965 when it was replaced with the completely new chassisless monocoque T series.

Bentley S1 Saloon 1958

It was announced at the end of April 1955, 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 and luggage locker lid were of aluminium.
Having a totally new external appearance, although with the traditional radiator grille, the main differences from the R type were:

Bentley S1 Continental Fastback Coupé 1956

three inches longer wheelbase
lower build without reducing headroom and with an enlarged luggage boot
softer suspension with electrically operated control of rear dampers
lighter steering and improved braking
engine capacity increased to 4887cc, the same size as used in the Bentley Continental
four-speed automatic gearbox was standard, with ability to select individual ratios if desired.

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.

Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe 1958

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 (3.7 in), stroke was 114.3 mm (4.5 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 in (3124 mm) and, from 1957, 127 in (3226 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 (97 km/h) in 13.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 16.1 miles per imperial gallon (17.5 L/100 km; 13.4 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car, which had the optional power steering, cost £6305 including taxes of £1803.

Bentley S1 Long Wheelbase "Empress" 1959

A high-performance version S Continental (chassis only) was introduced six months later, 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.