1960 Bentley S2 Saloon - A special car mollycoddled to an unusually high degree

9th Apr, 2025 9:00
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/l...

Lavishly maintained whilst in the ownership of a preeminent trauma surgeon for whom reliability was paramount (including the fitment of a factory exchange engine less than 10,000 miles ago)
Significantly improved since last being retailed by renowned dealer Frank Dale & Stepsons for £51,000
Detailed history file with service records dating back to 1965
Worthy of close inspection
Launched in 1959, the Bentley S2 and its sister car the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II were seemingly visually interchangeable with the outgoing S1 and Cloud I models. Although, underpinned by the same chassis layout as their predecessors (complete with independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and all-round, servo-assisted drum brakes), the duo boasted an all-new powerplant. Rolls-Royce's first V8 engine since the Edwardian 30HP 'Legalimit', the 6230cc unit gave notable improvements in both power and flexibility. Suddenly, these wonderfully elegant if un-aerodynamic saloons were capable of close to 120mph via their four-speed automatic gearboxes. A strong sales success, especially in the USA, the Cloud II's introduction led David Ogilvy's advertising agency to produce the classic tag line "At 60 mph the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock".

According to its accompanying RREC copy build records, chassis B321BR was completed with various ‘special features’ including: a steering wheel mounted headlamp dipping switch, B-post marker lights and electric windows. Supplied new via Jack Barclay Ltd to the prosperous textile merchant Herbert Kreuzer Esq on April 28th 1960, the Bentley initially carried his personalised number plate ‘TYE 11’. Registered to the London SW1 address of E.L. Windsor Esq four years later, the S2 subsequently belonged to B.D. Ely Esq and Leslie Wheeler Esq before being bought by the eminent orthopaedic and trauma surgeon Mr John Miles Kingsmill-Moore from Sunningdale Motors of Ascot on December 9th 1992. Initially entrusting the saloon’s maintenance to Derek Jarman, Mr Kingsmill-Moore then used marque specialist Royce Service & Engineering to ensure that the chances of him breaking down en route to an operating theatre were as minimal as possible. To this end the power steering and suspension were overhauled, the brakes rejuvenated, a replacement 'crate' engine obtained directly from the Crewe factory and the heater matrix renewed etc. Substantially improved since it was last retailed by the renowned dealer Frank Dale & Stepsons to a hedge fund manager for £51,000 in July 2021, chassis B321SR now rides on Avon tyres all round and has had its original Tan leather upholstery and Wilton carpets deep cleaned. Indeed, the hides have been so successfully rejuvenated by the Connolly Bros trained and time served craftsmen at Leathercare that they almost look to have been replaced. Having covered a mere 10,000 miles or so on its second factory powerplant (the associated cost of which totalled £14,194.72) and had far more spent on it than most surviving S2s, this delightful Bentley is worthy of close inspection as its detailed, chronological history file which lists maintenance as far back as 1965! A special car.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737