Very nice test! I am owning a 1958 S1 for 38 years with powersteering and a rebuilt working factory AC. My grandfather bought it new and gave it to me when he was 95.
Years ago when I lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a friend of mine owned a '56 Bentley S2, sand on sable. He named it "Her Majesty." Right-hand drive, which was very exotic in the USA. Every outing in that beautiful, stately car was an EVENT! She really drew a crowd. Thanks for the memories evoked by this excellent post!
I agree. The Bentley S1, S2 and S3 were handsome, imposing cars with great road presence. Sadly, the genteel era in UK ,which they represent, has long since gone. I doubt that the oiks driving BMW 's, Audi's, Mercedes would show it any respect on the road these days. 😢
I went for two job interviews in the late 60s as apprentice electrician , got both jobs ( yes really ) had to go home to decide which firm to work for .what swung it for me ? The boss of the company I ended working for drove a Bentley like that !
My brother worked for Performance Cars in the 1950s based on the Great West Road out of London in the UK. He delivered cars to rich customers in the UK and he told me that the Bentley S1 was his favourite drive.
Oh, yes! That car is magnificent, Steph, and you did a wonderful job of describing it. The retrim on the front seats was done with what appears to be the original Connelly hides, which is why the colour is such a good match. To my eye the pleats appear a little flat compared to the rear seat, but that may be what I'm viewing on. You are right, the gearbox is a General Motors unit. I believe it is the 4 speed Hydramatic engineered by Oldsmobile. For a long time Rolls-Royce used GM gearboxes because they were quiet, smooth shifting, durable, and able to handle the torque output. Funny story. With the 3 speed Turbo Hydramatic 400 gearbox, Rolls-Royce was building them under license. The first lot did not work. The craftsmen at in Crewe finished everything to the typically high standard of the company. They had to learn to make the parts to the lower standard of GM, and the gearboxes worked perfectly. When it comes to the brakes and handling, those tyres are bias belted and the brakes are drum. Care is required.
I'd have a Bentley over a Rolls Royce any day, they just seem more elegant - isn't it silly how it's all in a name ! A great video - obviously, and I have to say, you are looking fabulous today. Take special care 🙂 X X
A beautiful car made to a standard rarely seen today! My father owned an S2 and an S2 Continental Flying Spur at one point. Incredible cars. Rgds, Joachim
Five grand in 1951 is worth £125 grand in today's money. Looking at the ludicrous prices of modern Rolls and Bentley cars, a total snip! Bentley S1, what a car! Thanks for sharing your experience of this amazing vehicle. Love and peace.
I got to drive a '57 S1 around 1980. Frankly it was a bit of an old banger because the guy who owned it had bought it dirt cheap with a lot of faults he couldn't afford to remedy. Despite this you could tell it was a great car hidding beneath the shabby paintwork and derelict interior. Certainly it's big old straight-six, 4.9 litre, engine moved it along nicely.
Wow, what a stunning example. Its going to make someone very happy. I love the way you combine the tecnical information with a stylish presentation and personal perspective..
I have driven the previous model with the manual gearchange on the right. I did not notice the steering being heavy however that back when most cars did not have power steering...
Love the four speed Hydramatic transmission on the column and the overall workmanship... I had a chance to own an S1 but owing to moving back to the Colonies I chose not to buy it and I regret it now
This is such a lovely shape - almost bought a s2 in pieces for £3k a few years back - chickened out due to the spares prices. I’d love one today if I had the money. Great vid Steph as usual - thanks
A word about tobacco and leather. My Uncle Chuck had a 1954 Mercury convertible, with leather seats. He smoked cigars. I loved to ride in his car! I was about 5 years old at the time, and the smell of leather and tobacco is one I remember at age 70. Really enjoy your show.
You are so right about tobacco smoke stinking up and otherwise ruining leather seats. Been there ... done that with a 1996 Audi A4, bought 9 years old. Front seats practically disintegrated during the 12 years we had it.
I dealt with a garage which had the Silver Cloud version in for work. They said that without power steering it was like driving a three-ton truck. Also, at parking speeds that gearbox-driven brake servo contributed nothing to stopping power, and a firm grasp of the handbrake was essential. Definitely leave it to the chauffeur!
I once drove a LWB example from James Young. Imagine all those engineering shortcomings in an even larger vehicle! It was very difficult. We owned an older (1952) Packard Caribbean that was orders of magnitude superior to Bentley and very pleasant to drive.
I had three Mk 6 Bentleys (at different times) and the manual steering was very light. I never had the slightest problem with the brakes and that was in London traffic. As if Bentley would put out a car which needed the handbrake to stop it normally.
Thanks to persons both before and behind the camera for allowing the rest of us to live vicariously. Great added bonus with the presenter's keen fashion sense often paying homage to both vehicle and era.
Bentley is one of those marques that command respect. Drivers usually treat you quite differently on the road. Great car Steph and good review as always. You look very classy behind the wheel.
Hi Steph, I found it interesting that you mentioned this Bentley was originally registered in Ireland, and after a little research "RI" was a Dublin reg.
A family friend inherited her father’s 1959 S2 in the 1980s and took us for drives a few times. Riding in the back was particularly pleasant, just the safest and most relaxing feeling. When we parked to have a coffee, people stopped to admire it - kids loved it.
Wow, what a nice car and video! Steph, here is a small but important improvement that could be made to your videos: Try to adjust the audio level on your mic or software, because it sounds like the audio level is maxxed at moments and it makes it sound bad.
Really enjoyed this video Steph. I always admired the Rolls Royces and Bentleys of this era and, once again, I really felt like I was sitting in the car with you. Looking forward to the next video.
April 1955... The year I was born... lol One of the true beauties of the era (the car, not me !) and in my view by far the most beautiful shape of its time. As you say, lucky new owner...
The S1 is IMO the best classic for the enthusiast you can buy if you really want a Bentley or a RR. Having owned a Shadow which I loved I now have an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Mark2. The Sapphire has the looks but a more sophisticated hemi engine and it's better for enthusiasts like me that like to maintain vehicles themselves. Nevertheless the S1 is superb and they have excellent performance and frankly a better engine than the later alloy V8 that corrodes if not comprehensively maintained. Great frank review.
Nice informative video Steph. I have a late 1958 Cloud that I have owned twice totalling 24 years since 1984. I live in Calgary Canada & "Elizabeth" has 107000 miles & is a Canadian spec original survivor including paint, chrome, leather, carpets, woodwork & headliner. I'm 76 & bought it first time back in 1984 when I was 37. Driving it makes me feel young again 😜. These were the best cars Crewe ever built & have a quality & presence modern Rolls-Royces & Bentleys just don't have. Best of both eras , classic looks & able to cruise @ 80 MPH on the highway with 2 fingers on the steering wheel.Doubt if I will ever sell it.
Love the nod to the chauffer outfit -:) One of the prettiest sedan designs*, though I'd probably opt for the S2 for the V8 and additional features. The S3 did no favors with quad headlamps. (*The Flying Spur, in a completely different price range today, does go one better, though in a more sporting, less formal vein)
Great report on the Bentley Steph, and the new look and manner is very professional. This will lead you on to a great career Steph, and you made it all from nothing. Be proud girl, you’re doing well. Cheers from Australia
What a lovely car - though I suspect the running costs would be atrocious. Loved your choice of outfit, too - your hair almost matches the trim colour!
Thank GOD it's not one of Cameron's cars again like the two rolls. Although it would be a very stylish car to tow a caravan around. 😜 Lovely Video Steph 👍
When I was a senior in high school, I was attending a big Italian family dinner and my uncle's friend, who owned a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud handed me the keys to his car and said: 'take your girlfriend (who was later to become my wife) for a ride'. I gulped down the rest of my cocktail, grabbed my girl by the hand and practically ran to the driveway where this beauty was parked. When I started it, I had to check the tach to make sure that it was running, due to the smoothness of that big engine. The power curve was smooth as silk, the torque coming on equally irregardless of the RPMs. Took a little jaunt on the freeway and was going way south of 100 MPH without even realizing it. When I got back, my head was spinning from the thrill of taking that magnificent machine out for a drive. That was the best 'test drive' I ever took in my life. Sadly, that car was destroyed in a garage fire several years later, along with a 1948 MG touring car.
Good girl Steph. Another original road test just in the right format. Love the way you handle these great Models of Yesteryear (by any other name). Great stuff, just gotta see more. Love ya Steph, and keeeeeeeeeep driving.
I ve virtually just been sitting in the back with you driving the bentley I literally thought I was in there with you in real life not that I d,ever own one but nice car
My Dad had one in the 70s I drove it once to the off licence for him grinning like a Cheshire cat I remember how long the bonnet was and I used to drive his rover 110 all the time
Nice to see Bentley is still in business , as there is so little left of Britain's industrial manufacturing past , and fortunately was bought by the Germans or it would have collapsed like the rest of Britain's auto industry . The present day Bentley's are a credit to the Germans , a quality desirable product which has few peers .
Hi Steph. This brings back memories. Way back in 1988 I bought a 1956 Bentley s series as I'd always loved the design of these cars, not to mention the beautiful woodwork. Once I'd fixed a few bits an' pieces it was wonderful to drive. Had it for nine years. Would love another but prices have soared on these too much. On the review car I notice it doesn't have the front seat fold down arm rests. Maybe they came a bit later as mine had them. Anyway, beautiful interior, lovely car and great review. Keep up the great work Steph. Love your channel. james:)
