The tremendous success Bentley enjoyed with the R Type Continental continued onto the S Series chassis in late 1955 with a range of new bodies available to collectors. The Park Ward fixed head coupe was originally the brainchild of legendary coachwork designer John Blatchley who had been largely responsible for the styling of the R Type Continental by H.J. Mulliner. Six R Type Continental chassis were delivered to the Park Ward works who were then owned by Rolls-Royce. Blatchley was given the task of styling the four drophead coupes and the two further fixed head coupes on the R Type Continental chassis, a design which was later slightly adapted for the marginally longer S1 Continental chassis.

Chassis No BC36DJ which we are currently offering for sale is one of just sixteen cars built in right hand drive to Design No 872. The major aesthetic change from the earlier Park Ward design was the introduction of thinner C posts and a wrap around rear windscreen. This motor car also benefits from the S1 Continental mechanical upgrades in the form of power steering, the larger 8:1 compression carburettors and the dual braking system, all of which were original factory fittings.

Chassis No BC36DJ was originally finished in sage over smoke green with a green leather interior, completed to the order of Mr D Ovenstone of Claremont in South Africa. It was completed in March of 1958 and supplied by Robb & Co of Cape Town South Africa. It was shipped on the SS Cape Town Castle from Southampton to Cape Town in early 1958 and it remained in South Africa until very recently when it returned to the UK for the first time in over sixty years. In 2014 whilst in the care of the most recent owner the car was restored in Cape Town by Crossley & Webb, the works included but were not limited to a coachwork repairs, new sills, new flooring, a bare metal re-paint, re-chroming, a re-trim in black leather and various mechanical works. The history file which accompanies the car documents all of the works with invoices, general correspondence and also a number of photographs. The finished car presents well and it has subsequently been mechanically reviewed and prepared to our standards since its return to the UK to ensure correct performance, reliability and pleasurable motoring. Examples of Design No 872 by Park Ward are rarely available and we are delighted to offer this car for sale.

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