1963 Bentley S3 Continental ‘Flying Spur’ Saloon

Coachwork by H J Mulliner

: 1963 Bentley S3 Continental ‘Flying Spur’ Saloon.

This car has now been sold.

One of 86 examples

Registration number 950 FYO

Chassis number BC168XA

Engine number 84ABC

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.

: Rear

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 2007 and has had its original UK registration ‘950 FYO’ reassigned.

: Engine

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. Originally Mist Green, ‘950 FYO’ has been repainted in Royal Blue and re-trimmed in tan leather. Bills on file for restoration work total circa £16,000 while others for related parts total circa £3,000.

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, looks to have been fully overhauled. Extremely quiet, engine bay very clean and detailed. Good oil pressure, again excellent. Interior: Fully restored, again to highest order. Natural patina of wood has been left: new owner may wish to re-lacquer. New leather, new carpets. Air conditioning also fitted. Beautiful instrumentation, superb order. Chrome work is in excellent order (except tailpipe, which is due to be re-chromed), no dents, marks or pitting evident. Overall an exceptional car, subject to an extensive restoration, offered in lovely condition, ready to use.

Further Photographs: Gallery

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