Beschreibung:

1956 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL FASTBACK COACHWORK BY H.J.MULLINER Registration No. 490 JLC Chassis No. BC 1 BG Engine No. BC 1 B Silver with blue coachline and black leather interior Engine: six cylinder, overhead inlet valves, side exhaust, twin SU carburettors, 4,887cc; Gearbox: Hydramatic four speed automatic; Steering: power-assisted (see text); Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum; Suspension: independent by coil springs and wishbones to front: live axle with semi-elliptic springs to rear. Right hand drive. In an Autocar Road Test at the time of its introduction, the S1 was quoted as: offering a degree of safety, comfort and performance that is beyond the experience and imagination of the world's motorists. They went on to describe it as a modern magic carpet annihilating great distances. The Continental version further compounded their enthusiasm as it offered 120 mph performance thanks to its tuned engine and carefully chosen back axle ratio. The highly esteemed coachbuilders H.J. Mulliner, went on to clothe this tremendous chassis with their sensational two-door Fastback coachwork, setting the model apart from all other great cars. The design is one, which will never date, and even today the Bentley S1 Continental Fastback remains one of the most stylish and glamorous cars in the world. This 'modern magic carpet' was sold new to H. Madi of Hale in Cheshire. Delivered to him in June 1956 it was registered as RXK 10, and factory records note it to have been ordered in Shell grey with a dark green trim. Mr. Madi kept the Bentley in the UK for nine months before it was shipped care of the company to Gambia in the spring of 1957. The subsequent history of the car can be ascertained from later notes on the changes of ownership that are recorded through both the Rolls-Royce company build-sheets and the car's old green continuation log-book. It would seem that the secondment to Gambia lasted approximately six months, for by September the car returned to the UK, and was freshly registered on September 19th, as FKJ 1. Through four further owners it passed to a Colonel Fetherstonhaugh of Anglo-Europe Ltd in 1963, and ten years later in their custody the current number plate 490 JLC was assigned to the Fastback. Elton John acquired the Bentley in 1976. In the early part of Elton's ownership the Bentley was consigned to Weybridge Automobiles for a comprehensive restoration, this work included a bare metal respray, complete refurbishment of the interior and attention to the mechanics, as and where necessary. Also during restoration, power-assisted steering was fitted and in keeping with the requirements of its owner, air conditioning has been added, as well as a modern stereo system. In the collection for 25 years, the Bentley has subsequently been carefully maintained. The car is sold with a current MoT, road tax, copies of the original build-sheets and an old green log book. Elton John said of this car: 'It's the most beautiful looking car, I think, that's ever been designed' remarking on its lines and details and the car's overall appearance he added. 'They don't come any better than that' John Newman Elton John's Fleet Manager, calls this car 'Sophisticated Lady', he loves its beautiful workmanship and lines, and classes it as one of his favourites from the collection. Both he and Sir Elton John commented that guests have regularly been taken in this car, and Elton indicated that this model was one of the cars that he has used most regularly over the years. The paternal feeling Newman has for all the cars in Sir Elton's collection became evident with regard to this particular model when he commented to us. 'Who ever buys this car better look after it or I'll be knocking on their door!'