1957 Bentley

• The ninety-fifth of ninety-seven examples built-in right-hand drive
• A later specification example with the factory mechanical upgrades
• Fitted with air conditioning ducted through the dashboard vents
• Complete with tools
• Known to Frank Dale for many years and previously supplied by us
• Recently mechanically prepared in our workshops
• A very attractive example of this much sought after model

Chassis number BC47CH is the ninety fifth of ninety seven right hand drive all aluminium bodied S1 Continental Fastback’s built to Design No 7400 by H.J.Mulliner. It was originally completed and delivered new in November 1957 to Mr John Irwin Esq of St James in London SW1. It was finished in Circassian (navy) blue with a grey leather interior and was supplied by Jack Barclay Ltd. Being a CH Series car, it came with the factory mechanical upgrades of power steering, dual brake reservoirs and the larger carburettors, the most sought-after specification. The car was retained by Mr Irwin until 1960 when it was sold to Farmer A Dark Services in London SW4. By the early 1980s the car had found its way to the US and in 1981 BC47CH was acquired by Frank Cookes Vintage Garage collection in Massachusetts where it remained until his collection was sold in 2006 following his passing. During his twenty-five-year ownership it is understood that Mr Cooke used BC47CH regularly, including taking it on various tours and taking part in the RROC National Meeting in Newport in 2003. It was purchased in 2006 by Mr Leonard Vinville and repatriated to London at this time. Three years later the car was sold to Parisien collector Jean-Marc Krief who instructed master trimmer Bob Smith to re-trim the interior in Bordeaux leather and carpets. The quality of his work lives on as the interior is still in beautiful condition. A year later in 2010 Chassis No BC47CH was supplied by Frank Dale to a long-term client in central London who used the car as his daily driver. Our workshops maintained it for him during his ownership and we were also instructed to repaint the car for him, in its current shade of non-metallic dark green. It was acquired by the present European owner in 2020 and presently comes with European Union registration and supporting papers. Following a period of limited use, we were recently instructed to prepare the car mechanically speaking to the highest standards to ensure reliability, correct performance and pleasurable motoring, a task we have recently completed. Chassis No BC47CH comes fitted with air conditioning that is discreetly ducted through the original vents in the dashboard and complete tools, both small and wheel changing. It also comes with copy chassis cards and maintenance documentation. This is a car we have known for several years and one we are extremely happy to be offering for sale. It is the simply the ultimate specification for this design in our opinion and a car that should be given serious consideration by someone looking to acquire a beautiful example of this timeless classic. 

The success of the R Type Continental between 1952 and 1955 lead to the creation of the S1 Continental chassis, which was released in April of 1955. For the first time Bentley enthusiasts had a greater choice of coachwork designs to choose from with H.J.Mulliner and Park Ward responsible for bodying the majority of the S1 Continental chassis produced. One of the most popular designs was the fastback coachwork by H.J.Mulliner, built to Design No 7400. It was modified to fit the 3-inch longer S1 Continental chassis and in styling terms was adapted further from the R Type Continental with a raised front wing line and less bulbous rear wings with a higher line which were finished with stylish new swage lines.