Description

1964 Bentley S3 Saloon

Stately old saloon which runs and drives but requires a degree of recommissoning and cosmetic improvement following a period in storage

Dating from December 1964 this stately old S3 has been in storage for the last few years and has recently been pulled out, cleaned off and got running. Under the long bonnet we find a 6230cc V8 driving the rear wheels via 4-speed column shift automatic transmission and a nicely patinated beige leather interior with acres of leather and wood including dash, door cappings and rear picnic tables, electric front and rear windows and original radio tuner.
As a Series 3 car, it featured 7% more power than its predecessor, improved headlamps giving a 250 yard range, more rear seat leg room and change from front bench seat to individual armchairs. The S3 is comparatively rare, just 1,286 were built, no surprise given it was three times more expensive than the top of the line Jaguar MkX in the early '60s at £6,126.
The car would no doubt benefit from a thorough service and check over with scope for cosmetic improvement with signs of blistering on the wing tops and micro-blistering to some body panels as pictured, but she seems a solid enough old beast that still turns heads and is a nice place to be.
Starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, we did note the car needed rather a shove on the brakes to slow down, so we would exercise caution if you intend to drive it home – we would suggest a transporter to be the safest bet given its not been on the road for some years.
Within the history file we find an old style log book, showing 4 keepers, the current since April 1996, SORN notice, 14 old MOTs, the last issued in March 2017 at 7,545 miles with no advisories recorded – the car now showing 7,636 miles. Other invoices dating back to 2011 show regular upkeep to 2018 including a £2,600 spend in May 2014 by Autoweld of Christchurch, Gloucs which included a major service, exhaust manifold work, welding to 5 main areas of the body, refurbishment of all wheel cylinders and brakes, adjustment to the steering box, repair to gear shift linkage and new headlamp unts, a new fuel pump in 2011 by Bentley Cheltenham costing £799, 2 new tyres and yearly check-over in April and May 2018, £1,290 spent in June 2017 on MOT and works to the brakes again.
Evidently well cared for in recent years the car is crying out for some use and care and could be lots of stately fun when roadworthy again. Potentially a fine car, it seems good value at the modest estimate suggested.
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