• Make: Bentley
• Model: S3 Continental ‘Flying Spur’ Saloon
• Year: 1963
• Price: £89,000

1963 Bentley S3 Continental ‘Flying Spur’ Saloon
Coachwork by H J Mulliner
Registration no. 950 FYO
Chassis no. BC168XA
Engine no. 84ABC

Footnote:
This Bentley Continental features the elegant, H J Mulliner-designed, ‘Flying Spur’ four-door coachwork and is one of only 86 S3 models completed in this style.

Eulogising about Bentley’s new ‘S’-series cars, introduced in April 1955, The Autocar wrote, ‘the latest Bentley model offers a degree of safety, comfort and performance that is beyond the experience and perhaps even the imagination of the majority of the world’s motorists.’ Later, in October that same year, the Bentley Continental became available on the ‘S’ chassis, the model having been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction in R-Type form in 1952.

Rolls-Royce had envisaged the Bentley Continental as exclusively a two-door car, but late in 1957 the decision was taken to sanction the production of a four-door variation by H J Mulliner. Introduced on the S1 Continental and known as the ‘Flying Spur’, this design was a collaborative effort by Rolls-Royce’s in-house styling department and H J Mulliner, and bore a strong resemblance both to the two-door Continental and to existing coachbuilt four-door styles on Rolls-Royce and (non-Continental) Bentley chassis. To the Continental’s existing qualities of pace and elegance, the Flying Spur added four-door practicality, a more spacious interior and generously proportioned boot. The Flying Spur body style continued on the V8-engined S2 Continental and was revised to incorporate the S3’s four-headlamp front end following the latter’s introduction in 1962.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur chassis number ‘BC168XA’ was supplied new via Kennings in London equipped with electric windows (to all doors), luggage straps and sun visors. In 1989 the car was exported to California, USA where it remained in the ownership of noted collector/restorer Richard Straman until 2007. Re-imported into this country early last year, it comes with State of California Certificate of Title and has had its original UK registration ‘950 FYO’ reassigned.

The car has been the subject of a thorough restoration undertaken by L T Classics of London, including an engine and gearbox rebuild, front suspension overhaul, brakes relined and a servo fitted. 950 FYO’ has been recently repainted in Royal Blue and re-trimmed in tan leather. A massive bill file accompanies the car. MoT’d until June 2009, the car comes with current road fund licence and Swansea V5.

Condition: Body paint: Car presented in beautiful condition throughout. Subject to an extensive first class restoration of the highest order. Body and paint excellent and unmarked.
Engine/gearbox: Engine starts readily, Fully overhauled. Extremely quiet, engine bay very clean and detailed. Good oil pressure, again excellent.
Interior: Fully restored, again to highest order. New leather, new carpets. Air conditioning also fitted. Beautiful instrumentation, superb order.
Chrome work is in excellent order, no dents, marks or pitting evident.
Overall an exceptional car, subject to an extensive restoration, offered in lovely condition, ready to use.