For Bentley and Rolls-Royce, the star of the 1959 London Motor Show was their first all-alloy V8 engine to be found in both the Bentley S2 and its cousin, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. The engine produced approximately 200bhp (Bentley and Rolls-Royce would never quote horsepower figures, preferring to state that it was 'adequate') and, by virtue of its alloy construction, weighed the same as the 4.8 litre, six cylinder engine it replaced. The result was a smoother, more powerful ride.

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The aluminium bodied ‘Continental’ Bentleys were produced by coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner. Indeed the chassis and running gear for this exquisite car was manufactured in 1959 before being sent to H.J. Mulliner, the car was subsequently registered on 15th January 1960 to a Mr F.W. Copeland of London E10 and was first registered on FC 77. The previous owner, a fastidious and knowledgeable car collector, owned this Bentley for the last seven years. The penultimate owner was James Crickmay of Franks Dale and Stepsons; he commissioned a substantial amount of work on the ‘Flying Spur’ including a complete re-trim at a cost of over £13,700. The coachwork is finished in Regal Red and the interior is Sandstone; both of these are of a sublime quality.

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It is hard to think of a more luxurious way to travel. With only 64 righthand drive examples manufactured to this ‘six-light’ four-door format she can certainly be described as rare.