Highlights

Radford converted with folding seats and built-in picnic table
Owned by luxury brand Aquascutum in late ‘50s
Only 89,000 miles
Spent some time in the USA
Original interior
Tax and MOT expempt

The Appeal

Introduced in 1955, the Bentley S1 was as luxurious as a car got at the time, hand built from the finest materials to the highest standards, it was already one of the most exquisite and expensive cars in the world, but from new this car had a an even more exclusive custom addition.

Before taking delivery of his new S1 in 1956, the first owner had it sent to Harold Radford Ltd who equipped it with a folding rear seat so long loads such as skis could be loaded and in the boot a folding table installed along with over-rider mounted stools for comfortable picnics at events, making an unusual and interesting car.

The History and Paperwork

List of previous keepers compiled by last owner
Copy of is USA Title
Copies of receipts for work over the last decade

The Interior

Radford interior with folding rear seats and boot tables
Original red leather seats
Superb wood
Beautiful red carpet
Tables, glasses and flasks in seat backs

The Bentley’s cabin is in beautiful original condition with sumptuous red leather seats which appear original with a pleasant patina to the hide. The rear seats fold forward, opening to the boot for longer loads and the front seat backs have fold out tables and ashtrays in fine wood in excellent condition and in the bottom they have fold out lockers for glasses on the left and four flasks on the right.

The red carpet is in lovely condition, it has possibly been replaced and shows very little sign of wear, and the door cards are very good.

The wood of the dashboard which rolls into the door caps is in extremely good condition, the grain is beautiful and it has a deep lustre to the finish, and the large, simple black steering wheel with its chrome push button horn in the centre is in lovely condition and looks perfect against the rich wood of the dashboard and black faced dials

The headlining is excellent and is set off by the cut glass interior light in there centre. In the boot are a pair of beautiful period correct Sirram picnic boxes, one for the champagne and wine, the other plates, cutlery, flasks, sandwiches and of course all the seasoning.

The Exterior

Two-tone black over silver paint
Very nice chrome
Lovely panel work
New tyres

The big Bentley has a charm and dignity unmatched by almost anything else. The body work is straight with no dings or dents around the panels and the paint has a smooth finish and pleasant shine. The two tone black over silver finish suits the lines of the car well, and has a black stripe with red pinstripes surrounding the chrome door handles and swage trim, which is all very good, and the doors swing open smoothly and close with a satisfying thunk.

The chrome trim of the bumpers, lamp bezels, grill and flying B is all very good indeed, and at the back there are small notches in the bumper for the fold out table legs to slot into, and large overriders would have had soles in the top to mount stools but have been rechromed and the holes filled at some point.

The stainless hubcaps with their delightful mid-century ‘Bentley’ logo are in great shape and the car has new tyres all round.

There are a couple of cracks in the paint the we noticed, one on the drivers side front wing and another on the opposite rear, some chips on the door edges and inside the wheel arch openings there are chips.

The Mechanics

Recent battery
Front suspension rebuilt in 2017
Brakes overhauled and servo rebuilt 2015
Rust proofed in 2014

With the column shift gear selector pushed up into neutral, the car will flick into life easily where it idles smoothly and pulls away smoothly and with surprising pick up for such a large car. The engine remains hushed and civilised on the road, the suspension is quiet and the brakes sharp, the servo having been rebuilt and the system checked and overhauled by Bentley specialist David Sainsbury in 2015 at 86,000 miles.

The same specialist has seed the car several times for maintenance and in 2016 rebuilt the heater and demister, and went through the dashboard to make sure all was working well, and replaced a steering box to column bosh for tight and accurate steering.
The suspension was rebuilt in 2017 to rectify earlier repairs, possibly from its time in America

In 2014 it was professionally rustproofed with the chassis coated and cavities injected.

Summary

A beautiful and charming S1 with an interesting twist and a nice patina of use. A great driving example that would be perfect to use and enjoy.

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