Bentley - S1 LHD - NO RESERVE - 1956





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Description from the seller
**FEATURED**
* Equipped with Federperiti Conformity Guarantee appraisal
* Left-hand-drive (LHD) version delivered new in France
* Maintains the original French first registration plate
* Engine, colors and configuration in conformity with the origin
* Complete with birth documentation
**HISTORY/PANORAMA**
The Bentley S1 is a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors between 1955 and 1959. Fitted with the renowned 4.9-litre straight-six engine, it represents one of the most elegant and refined expressions of post-war British motoring.
The example presented here is one of the very rare left-hand-drive versions delivered new in France. Ordered by Mr. Félix Goudard of Paris in April 1956, it still preserves today all of its original characteristics, as evidenced by the attached documentation. The car retains its original two-tone colour scheme, the engine with a serial number matching the Bentley records, and the interior and exterior finishes in accordance with the birth configuration.
**EXTERIOR**
The bodywork is finished in the rare and elegant factory-original Bentley factory two-tone scheme. The repainting was professionally carried out recently and presents in beautiful general condition, with only light signs consistent with the vehicle’s age.
The bumper and ram’s horn chrome trim has just been restored to new, the front headlights are those installed at the car’s birth, as stated in the factory extract. Recently a professional polishing and detailing treatment was also carried out.
Verification with a micrometer did not reveal any signs of accidents or significant structural repairs.
The underbody appears solid and well preserved, free from evidence related to collisions and in conditions compatible with regular use.
**INTERIOR**
The interiors are largely original and finished in real leather, preserved with great care over the years. The instrument panel retains the original km instrumentation and all model-specific details.
The veneers and wood trims are original and in beautifully preserved condition, as expected from a flagship car of this level. The front and rear central carpeting has recently been restored and is in excellent condition.
The door panels are original and well preserved, as is the headlining. Completing the ensemble is the characteristic standard steering wheel, also in good condition.
**MECHANICS**
The original engine, in line with the attached Bentley certificate, starts easily, with the typical quiet and smooth operation that characterizes the model.
Recently a new battery and a restored original starter motor have been installed. The car has been tested in a private area and the gear shift and clutch function have been checked.
The car has not been used regularly in recent years as it has been kept in a private collection; the technical inspection is therefore past due. Before sustained road use, a normal routine maintenance service is recommended.
A splendid early Bentley S1, offered in a very rare original colour configuration, delivered new in France, complete with its historical documentation and characterized by a high level of authenticity and left-hand drive.
**TRANSPORT**
The seller can arrange delivery to your home in Italy and Europe. Contact for a quote.
BUY NOW: You can insure the lot without waiting! Have questions? Contact the seller for assistance.
**DOCUMENTATION**
— Federperiti Conformity Guarantee appraisal
— Original French Registration Booklet (Carte Grise)
— Documentation of the first registrant
— Bentley birth cards
**SERVICES** - All vehicles are owned by us and we do not operate as a consignment sale. We provide
consulting and support for Italian or foreign registration, also through our trusted agencies.
------------------
WARRANTY - We exclusively sell vehicles guaranteed to be 100% compliant and certified: each vehicle is sold with a Certificate of Conformity issued by Federperiti, an independent Italian authority recognized internationally. Each vehicle is personally inspected to ensure the buyer that photos, description and overall condition of the car conform to reality.
Some videos of the car, the engine and driving may be available; ask Catawiki.
The seller handles the transfer of ownership remotely or the export documents. Assistance with shipping to Italy, Europe and worldwide at competitive prices. You can also pick up the car in person.
You are welcome to visit our showroom to meet us and see the vehicle before the end of the auction, even with your own mechanic or via a WhatsApp video call; write to Catawiki for an appointment.
Follow our NO RESERVE vintage car auctions on Catawiki
Seller's Story
**FEATURED**
* Equipped with Federperiti Conformity Guarantee appraisal
* Left-hand-drive (LHD) version delivered new in France
* Maintains the original French first registration plate
* Engine, colors and configuration in conformity with the origin
* Complete with birth documentation
**HISTORY/PANORAMA**
The Bentley S1 is a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors between 1955 and 1959. Fitted with the renowned 4.9-litre straight-six engine, it represents one of the most elegant and refined expressions of post-war British motoring.
The example presented here is one of the very rare left-hand-drive versions delivered new in France. Ordered by Mr. Félix Goudard of Paris in April 1956, it still preserves today all of its original characteristics, as evidenced by the attached documentation. The car retains its original two-tone colour scheme, the engine with a serial number matching the Bentley records, and the interior and exterior finishes in accordance with the birth configuration.
**EXTERIOR**
The bodywork is finished in the rare and elegant factory-original Bentley factory two-tone scheme. The repainting was professionally carried out recently and presents in beautiful general condition, with only light signs consistent with the vehicle’s age.
The bumper and ram’s horn chrome trim has just been restored to new, the front headlights are those installed at the car’s birth, as stated in the factory extract. Recently a professional polishing and detailing treatment was also carried out.
Verification with a micrometer did not reveal any signs of accidents or significant structural repairs.
The underbody appears solid and well preserved, free from evidence related to collisions and in conditions compatible with regular use.
**INTERIOR**
The interiors are largely original and finished in real leather, preserved with great care over the years. The instrument panel retains the original km instrumentation and all model-specific details.
The veneers and wood trims are original and in beautifully preserved condition, as expected from a flagship car of this level. The front and rear central carpeting has recently been restored and is in excellent condition.
The door panels are original and well preserved, as is the headlining. Completing the ensemble is the characteristic standard steering wheel, also in good condition.
**MECHANICS**
The original engine, in line with the attached Bentley certificate, starts easily, with the typical quiet and smooth operation that characterizes the model.
Recently a new battery and a restored original starter motor have been installed. The car has been tested in a private area and the gear shift and clutch function have been checked.
The car has not been used regularly in recent years as it has been kept in a private collection; the technical inspection is therefore past due. Before sustained road use, a normal routine maintenance service is recommended.
A splendid early Bentley S1, offered in a very rare original colour configuration, delivered new in France, complete with its historical documentation and characterized by a high level of authenticity and left-hand drive.
**TRANSPORT**
The seller can arrange delivery to your home in Italy and Europe. Contact for a quote.
BUY NOW: You can insure the lot without waiting! Have questions? Contact the seller for assistance.
**DOCUMENTATION**
— Federperiti Conformity Guarantee appraisal
— Original French Registration Booklet (Carte Grise)
— Documentation of the first registrant
— Bentley birth cards
**SERVICES** - All vehicles are owned by us and we do not operate as a consignment sale. We provide
consulting and support for Italian or foreign registration, also through our trusted agencies.
------------------
WARRANTY - We exclusively sell vehicles guaranteed to be 100% compliant and certified: each vehicle is sold with a Certificate of Conformity issued by Federperiti, an independent Italian authority recognized internationally. Each vehicle is personally inspected to ensure the buyer that photos, description and overall condition of the car conform to reality.
Some videos of the car, the engine and driving may be available; ask Catawiki.
The seller handles the transfer of ownership remotely or the export documents. Assistance with shipping to Italy, Europe and worldwide at competitive prices. You can also pick up the car in person.
You are welcome to visit our showroom to meet us and see the vehicle before the end of the auction, even with your own mechanic or via a WhatsApp video call; write to Catawiki for an appointment.
Follow our NO RESERVE vintage car auctions on Catawiki
Seller's Story
Details
Vehicle registration
Buyers are responsible for vehicle's registration, not the seller or Catawiki.
Request help with registration from a third-party service provider.Disclaimer
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
