French registration documents

Rare French-market S3
Most developed version of the model
Only 1286 made

In October 1962 the Bentley S2 gave way to the S3. This last series of S-type is easily distinguished by its four-headlamp front, giving better lighting and belatedly fitting in with transatlantic styling fashions. But the differences don’t stop there. The radiator is 38mm (1.5in) shorter, allowing a lower bonnet-line, the interior has more rear legroom and shoulder room, the engine is more powerful, and the steering improved. The brakes and suspension, on the other hand, remain unchanged. In fact Rolls-Royce, owner since 1931 of the Bentley marque, had been hesitating about a move to disc brakes, as testing had revealed them to be noisier than drums – unacceptable for this drawing-room on wheels! All in all, the S3 – produced until 1965 – was more than just a stop-gap pending the arrival of the T-type: it was a worthy high-point in the development of the S-type and Silver Cloud range.
The car presented here was delivered new on 20 March 1963 by Levallois-based importer Franco-Britannic Autos, and is thus a genuine left-hand-drive car. It is in excellent bodily and mechanical order, with the engine and automatic gearbox having been rebuilt ten years ago by Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist Americo Automobiles, and on test it drove perfectly. The two-tone grey coachwork was repainted a few years ago and the chrome is in good condition. The wood-trimmed interior in grey leather with matching wool rugs is in an excellent state, including the headlining and of course the folding picnic tables that were once such a feature of British luxury cars. Over the coming years the new owner will thus have very little to concern himself with, as he enjoys this sculptural and elegant machine. Delightful to drive, even in today’s traffic, this Bentley is truly a sumptuous vehicle that merits being rediscovered.

ESTIMATE 30,000 – 50,000€

This car will be sold by auction by AGUTTES Auction House, in Paris, at the Espace Champerret, France, on June the 23th, 2019.
The digital catalog will be available soon on our website
https://www.aguttes.com/en/sale/96063
Please contact us for any further details.
Phones numbers:
+ 33 616 914 228
+33 147 459 301