1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drop Head

The S1 Continental Drop Head, as bodied by Park Ward, is considered by many to be the definitive peak of Bentley design. The all-aluminium body was not an adaptation, but a ground up, all-new Park Ward design that captured the stately elegance of the era. Only 58 examples were built in Right-Hand Drive, making them one of the rarest and most desirable Bentley’s built.

Chassis BC 95 AF was supplied in chassis form to Park Ward in January 1956, with the car being delivered to the first owner in July of that year. Finished in British Racing Green over Blue leather – a very unusual colour combination – it also had a great list of Special Features. The most notable were the power operated hood and windows, rear window demister, and two tone horns. The most unusual was the ‘trailer attachment to rear’, presumably for towing?

The first owner, J.F.R Mitchell of Peterborough, ran an engineering firm, keeping the car until 1960. The second owner, Mr L.C. Potter, was local to him. It appears the Continental remained in the North of England for much of its life, with ownership transferring to the appropriately named Alan Bentley in the 1990s, who undertook a full body off restoration. Finished in British Racing Green over red trim, the number plate was AB 500, and a regular at Club events. He retained it until Alexander Baggl bought it from P&A Wood in July 2006. A Swiss resident, he was fastidious in his maintenance of the car, with P&A Wood initially looking after it, before it was imported into Switzerland.

The current owner bought the S1 from Frank Dales in March 2021, who fitted power steering at the same time, and continued service and maintenance work in 2021, 2022 & 2023. Forming part of a significant British collection, under the current custodianship the lower half of the Bentley has been repainted in Silver, striking today in its two-tone livery. Fully retrimmed in tan leather with matching hoodbag in 2022.

One of the finest examples available, fully matching numbers and maintained regardless of cost, this outstanding Continental is available for viewing in our Bicester showrooms.