Model
Bentley
S1
Specification
Bentley S1 – a synonym of luxury from the late 1950s, produced by the British company Bentley between 1956 and 1959. It was available as a 4-door limousine or a 2-door coupe and was the successor to the R Type model. The car was powered by a 4.9-liter inline-six engine, with power transmitted to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission or, as in the example pictured, an automatic gearbox.
Description
This Bentley was purchased at an auction in the United States and initially seemed to be in very good condition. However, after dismantling, it became clear that the car had only undergone a superficial “repair” in the USA, meant solely to prepare it for sale. The sills were “built” with large amounts of filler, and other body imperfections were concealed with various types of putties. The new paint looked perfect in the photos, but in reality, the repairs were only cosmetic.
After removing the body from the frame, the true condition of the vehicle was revealed. The frame was corroded in several places and required major repairs, the floor of the body resembled a sieve, and the rear fenders, after sandblasting, looked like a colander. The bodywork took several months and required extraordinary skill from the bodyworker, making this stage of the restoration the longest.
The engine was dismantled and completely overhauled, while the suspension was renewed by replacing all the metal-rubber components. After several months, the body was mounted on new mounts and attached to the restored and painted frame. At the same time, wooden elements were refurbished and new upholstery was sewn.
The entire restoration process took 1.5 years, and the final result pleasantly surprised the client, who was extremely satisfied with our work. Today, the Bentley carries selected guests at an exclusive hotel, being a true gem in its fleet.
