1960 Bentley S2 Continental Sports Saloon, Coachwork by JAMES YOUNG Registration no. FSV 701 Chassis no. BC105AR
*One of only 41 S2 Continentals by James Young
*First owned by Edmundo Ros, OBE
*Repainted and re-trimmed in 2008/2009
*Extensive history file
'In the twilight of their coachbuilding years, James Young had with these cars reached the pinnacle of excellence.' - Martin Bennett, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
In the 1950s and 1960s the Bentley Continental was the world's ultimate Grand Tourer, a car in which you could set off from any European capital in the morning and arrive at Monte Carlo fresh enough to play the tables that same evening. With the arrival of the V8-engined version in 1959, this consummate ability was further enhanced. The V8 was, of course, the predominant power unit in Rolls-Royce's most important export market - the USA - so it was only natural that the Crewe firm would study the best American designs - principally those of Chrysler and Cadillac - for inspiration. Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their 'Cloud and S-Type predecessors, though the duo's performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminium-alloy V8 engine. Although wider and shorter than the 'six' it replaced, the new power unit fitted relatively easily within the engine bay, relocation of the steering box from inside to outside of the chassis frame being the most obvious alteration to the previous arrangements. Externally the new models appeared virtually unchanged, while beneath the skin Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission was now the only one on offer and power steering had been standardised.
Despite the popularity of the 'standard steel' bodywork, introduced when production of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars resumed after WW2, a steadily declining number of independent coachbuilders continued to offer alternatives. Arguably the most stylish were those produced to clothe the Bentley Continental which, of course, was only ever available with bespoke coachwork. One of the most prominent of these surviving firms was James Young, a company that had established itself among the foremost coachbuilders for upmarket chassis by the end of the 1930s. The Bromley-based carriage-maker had bodied its first automobile in 1908, affiliating itself with a succession of quality marques throughout the 1920s and 1930s before being acquired by the Jack Barclay Group in 1937. Its factory devastated by wartime bombing, the company did not resume exhibiting at the London Motor Shows until 1948, continuing to offer coachbuilt designs of distinction on (mainly) Rolls-Royce and Bentley chassis until the arrival of the unitary construction Silver Shadow/T-Series range in the 1960s. A lack of suitable chassis would force the firm's closure before the 'Sixties decade ended, but in its declining years James Young produced what are widely recognised as its finest creations, this beautiful Bentley Continental among them.
In total, James Young bodied 41 S2 Continental chassis, completing this four-door, six-light car to the order of Edmundo Ros, the famous Latin American bandleader, who was one of the biggest stars of the UK music scene during the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. Ros owned the Coconut Grove club in London's Regent Street, where the band played regularly, attracting the cream of British high society, including members of the Royal Family.
Copy chassis cards on file show that the Continental was retailed via Jack Barclay Ltd and registered to Ros at his home, Edritt House in Mill Hill, London NW7. The original registration was 'EWR 1'. Three subsequent owners are listed on the card, the last of whom, one J Haggis of Gargrave, North Yorkshire, acquired the Bentley in September 1966. The history file also contains bills from Jack Barclay and Bentley Motors relating to servicing carried out in the 1960s, together with a quantity of expired MoTs.
More recently, the Continental has benefited from a bare metal re-spray by Clays Vehicle Repairs, Blakelands, undertaken in 2008 at a cost of £18,500, which was followed by an interior re-trim by Philip Block Upholstery in 2009. Hillier Hill serviced the car that same year (£2,126) while in September 2015 the carpets were renewed by Sean Ingram Carpets (£964).
In August 2016 the Continental received a service by Bentley specialists PLG Auto Services (£2,866), which included fitting a new fuel tank and brake pipes, and some rewiring. New over-riders from Flying Spares were fitted that same month, and in October 2016 a new rear window was made and installed. Bills relating to all the aforementioned works are on file together with photographs of the body repaint and interior re-trim. The last word in Gran Turismo motoring in its day, this gorgeous James Young-bodied Bentley Continental is offered with a V5 registration document.
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*One of only 41 S2 Continentals by James Young
*First owned by Edmundo Ros, OBE
*Repainted and re-trimmed in 2008/2009
*Extensive history file
'In the twilight of their coachbuilding years, James Young had with these cars reached the pinnacle of excellence.' - Martin Bennett, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
In the 1950s and 1960s the Bentley Continental was the world's ultimate Grand Tourer, a car in which you could set off from any European capital in the morning and arrive at Monte Carlo fresh enough to play the tables that same evening. With the arrival of the V8-engined version in 1959, this consummate ability was further enhanced. The V8 was, of course, the predominant power unit in Rolls-Royce's most important export market - the USA - so it was only natural that the Crewe firm would study the best American designs - principally those of Chrysler and Cadillac - for inspiration. Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their 'Cloud and S-Type predecessors, though the duo's performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminium-alloy V8 engine. Although wider and shorter than the 'six' it replaced, the new power unit fitted relatively easily within the engine bay, relocation of the steering box from inside to outside of the chassis frame being the most obvious alteration to the previous arrangements. Externally the new models appeared virtually unchanged, while beneath the skin Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission was now the only one on offer and power steering had been standardised.
Despite the popularity of the 'standard steel' bodywork, introduced when production of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars resumed after WW2, a steadily declining number of independent coachbuilders continued to offer alternatives. Arguably the most stylish were those produced to clothe the Bentley Continental which, of course, was only ever available with bespoke coachwork. One of the most prominent of these surviving firms was James Young, a company that had established itself among the foremost coachbuilders for upmarket chassis by the end of the 1930s. The Bromley-based carriage-maker had bodied its first automobile in 1908, affiliating itself with a succession of quality marques throughout the 1920s and 1930s before being acquired by the Jack Barclay Group in 1937. Its factory devastated by wartime bombing, the company did not resume exhibiting at the London Motor Shows until 1948, continuing to offer coachbuilt designs of distinction on (mainly) Rolls-Royce and Bentley chassis until the arrival of the unitary construction Silver Shadow/T-Series range in the 1960s. A lack of suitable chassis would force the firm's closure before the 'Sixties decade ended, but in its declining years James Young produced what are widely recognised as its finest creations, this beautiful Bentley Continental among them.
In total, James Young bodied 41 S2 Continental chassis, completing this four-door, six-light car to the order of Edmundo Ros, the famous Latin American bandleader, who was one of the biggest stars of the UK music scene during the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. Ros owned the Coconut Grove club in London's Regent Street, where the band played regularly, attracting the cream of British high society, including members of the Royal Family.
Copy chassis cards on file show that the Continental was retailed via Jack Barclay Ltd and registered to Ros at his home, Edritt House in Mill Hill, London NW7. The original registration was 'EWR 1'. Three subsequent owners are listed on the card, the last of whom, one J Haggis of Gargrave, North Yorkshire, acquired the Bentley in September 1966. The history file also contains bills from Jack Barclay and Bentley Motors relating to servicing carried out in the 1960s, together with a quantity of expired MoTs.
More recently, the Continental has benefited from a bare metal re-spray by Clays Vehicle Repairs, Blakelands, undertaken in 2008 at a cost of £18,500, which was followed by an interior re-trim by Philip Block Upholstery in 2009. Hillier Hill serviced the car that same year (£2,126) while in September 2015 the carpets were renewed by Sean Ingram Carpets (£964).
In August 2016 the Continental received a service by Bentley specialists PLG Auto Services (£2,866), which included fitting a new fuel tank and brake pipes, and some rewiring. New over-riders from Flying Spares were fitted that same month, and in October 2016 a new rear window was made and installed. Bills relating to all the aforementioned works are on file together with photographs of the body repaint and interior re-trim. The last word in Gran Turismo motoring in its day, this gorgeous James Young-bodied Bentley Continental is offered with a V5 registration document.
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