1962 Bentley S2 Continental 'Flying Spur' Sedan

Of all the bespoke sporting cars built in the 1950s, none had the cache of the Bentley Continental. Built to individual order, the Continental was conceived as a high speed express, a grand tourer in the best tradition and was the flagship of the Bentley marque. The first Continentals were based on the R-Type, then the S-Type and, with the introduction of the V8 engine in the S2 of September 1959, a new era was launched.

The all-alloy 6.23-litre V8 developed more power (true figures were never released but realistic estimated place output at around 200bhp with 325lb/ft of torque), was smoother and ultimately pushed the S2 Continental to a higher top speed than did the six-cylinder it replaced.

Apart from more powerful front brakes and narrower 8.00-15 tyres thanks to the reduction in weight, the Continental was mechanically identical to the standard S2,but the radiator shell was three inches lower and repositioned to allow coachbuilders like H.J.Mulliner, Park Ward and James Young the freedom to design some exceptionally elegant, sporting coachwork.

The Flying Spur by H.J.Mulliner was a sporting saloon (in either four or six-light configuration) that evolved from earlier designs seen on the S1 and Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce and successfully married the flowing lines of the earlier R-Types with the practicality of four doors. As one might expect, the interior of the Continental was finished to the highest standards, individually tailored to the customer's requirements in the finest Connolly hides and wood trim.

As a nod to the sporting nature of the Bentley, a rev counter was included on the facia. Few modern automobiles can approach the hand-made, old world nature of the Bentley S2 Continental and none can match the desirability of this rare collector's car.