Description
1962 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead coupe
58 built, 27 examples were made in right-hand drive form and this example was the very first in that production sequence to be built.
So special was this first of production vehicle that on completion it was delivered to the 1962 Earls court motor show where it was placed on the H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward stand for all to admire. Once the show had concluded it was then transported to Jack Barclay Ltd, London where it was prominently positioned in the Mayfair showroom on display for an agreed period before its delivery to its first custodian, Mr D G Howitt of Basford, Nottinghamshire. Owner of the well-established printing company, J Howitt & Sons.
A copy of the original purchase order identifies the original colour of Shell Grey, with Scarlett Red interior and specifies the vehicle to be supplied with a power-operated hood and electric windows. At a total cost of £9043, it was the equivalent to a very modest London home or twice that of Aston Martins flagship DB4 model. With this price tag, these cars were only attainable to the very wealthiest of Bentley clientele’ a factor that dictated the ultra-low production number.
Sales invoices and documents from Jack Barclay and the RREC identify the next owner was located in Barnet, Hertfordshire, before, the car headed back north to E. H. Pickford & Co of Eccleshall Road, Sheffield in the late 1960s. Sometime later in its life, it is understood to have relocated to sunnier skies in the South of France, no doubt gracing the promenades of the French Riviera with its equally stylish form.
In the early 1990s, the car was restored before returning to the UK and finding a new long-term owner in 1998. For the next 18 years, the car formed part of a private collection and was used sparingly for high days and holidays, yet cared for in dry storage when dormant. A recent change of ownership has seen a new awakening and cosmetic revival of life for this glorious marque. In the last few years, the vehicle has benefitted from a full professional repaint in Rolls Royce Bentley colour Tudor Grey and a comprehensive re-trim using no less than five hides of Scarlet red leather to contrast and complement the sleek bodywork finish. These interior works have since continued with a fully tailored mohair hood exterior and fine nap woven wool headlining.
The brightwork has depth and clarity with the most recent re-plating of the chrome grille surround, front/ rear bumpers, over-riders and wheel hubs.
Recent specialist service works included; full brake overhaul, complete Gearbox overhaul, hood pump rebuild with new solenoids, window regulator service, carburettor strip and clean and all full oil and filter service.
The car sits proudly on new narrowband whitewall tyres on refurbished original wheels with hand-painted coach-lined trims.
Its history file contains its Bentley owners handbook, Jack Barclay purchase invoices, copies of order forms, Bentley works notes, additional archive information, period brochures, supplements, and drawings to support its more recent and usual servicing and works invoices.
The S3 Continental chassis was the swan song for the finest creative efforts of the specialist coachbuilders, it was the last Bentley that had a separate chassis, the last vehicle that Koren ever designed and after the last S3 rolled off the production line in 1966 the last time that Continental name was used on any Bentley model for decades. A welcome addition to any serious car collection and the opportunity to own the very first UK supplied Drophead Coupe in this iconic piece of motoring history.
