Today’s Bentleys are popular with rappers, premier league footballers, oligarchs and gentlemen with a certain reputation. In 1959, when the S2 Continental Flying Spur was launched, the customer base was a little different.
For starters it had an all-new 6.2-litre aluminium V8 engine, replacing a six-cylinder unit from the S1 that dated back to the 1920s. The ground-breaking L Series engine was later used in the Arnage and Brooklands models. Proving just how good a design this was, a highly modified version is fitted in the Bentley Mulsanne today.
For the time, the car had some advanced equipment including electric windows, air conditioning and window demisters. It also had electrically adjusted ride control.
There aren’t too many of these beasts around today but if you want one, prepare to spend between £50000 to £150000. Here’s a later 1966 model for £125,000.
Bentley’s Centenary Year
July 10, 2019 marks Bentley’s 100th year. To celebrate the occasion, a year-long series of special activities has been planned, with celebrations at events around the world.