The Bentley S2 Continental was the high-performance, coachbuilt version of the S2, produced from 1959 to 1962. It used the new aluminium Rolls-Royce–Bentley L Series V8 in a higher state of tune, with higher gearing to suit its lighter bodywork.
Bentley S2 Continental at a glance
| Maker | Bentley Motors, Crewe |
|---|---|
| Production | 1959–1962 |
| Based on | Bentley S2 |
| Engine | 6,230 cc V8, aluminium block and heads |
| Compression | 8:1 |
| Carburation | twin carburettors with automatic choke |
| Transmission | four-speed automatic |
| Bodies | fixed-head and drophead coupés to special order |
| Coachbuilders | Park Ward, Hooper, H. J. Mulliner, James Young |
| Built | 388 |
This page covers the Continental version of the S2 and is based on English Wikipedia only, so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Bentley S2 Continental
The S2 replaced the S1 at the beginning of October 1959, swapping the straight-six for the new aluminium Rolls-Royce–Bentley L Series V8 shared with the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. The new engine displaced 6,230 cc, had a compression ratio of 8:1, hydraulic tappets operating overhead valves and twin carburettors with automatic choke, and it offered significantly improved performance. Power steering became standard, and a new dashboard and steering wheel were introduced, though some early S2 cars were built with the dashboard of the preceding S1.
Bentley advertised the new model in The Times on Friday 2 October 1959, listing fully automatic transmission, power-assisted steering, electrically operated ride control, redesigned and more flexible air conditioning, electric rear window demisters and press-button window lifts among the features available.
The Continental version
An S2 Continental chassis was built with higher-performance engines and higher gearing for lighter bodywork. It was bodied by the same group of coachbuilders as the standard S2: Park Ward, Hooper, H. J. Mulliner & Co. and James Young. A total of 388 S2 Continental chassis were built between 1959 and 1962.
For comparison, Bentley built 1,863 standard and 57 long-wheelbase S2 chassis in the same period. Almost all had standard factory bodywork, but a number received coachbuilt bodies, and of the 1,863 standard cars 15 had H. J. Mulliner drophead coupé bodies. Of the 57 long-wheelbase cars, five were bodied by James Young and one received a Mercedes-Bentley yachting station-wagon body by Wendler. The S2 was succeeded in 1962 by the S3, which brought twin headlamps and a facelift to the front.
Design and features
- New L Series V8: aluminium block and heads, 6,230 cc, 8:1 compression and twin carburettors.
- Higher gearing: the Continental chassis was tuned for lighter coachwork.
- More equipment: power steering became standard, with improved air conditioning.
- Coachbuilt bodies: fixed-head and drophead coupés from four established coachbuilders.
Bentley S2 Continental versions
- S2 Continental fixed-head coupé: the closed coachbuilt body.
- S2 Continental drophead coupé: the open version, including H. J. Mulliner bodies.
- Standard S2 saloon: the factory-bodied four-door, 1,863 built.
- Long-wheelbase S2: 57 chassis, some with coachbuilt bodies.
The S2 Continental followed the S1 Continental and was replaced by the S3 Continental. More cars are in the Bentley collection.
Video: The Bentley S2 Continental | Drive it!
Video by DW News on YouTube.
Sources
- Bentley S2, English Wikipedia: S2 Continental, engine, production
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