Story and History

1956 Bentley S1
Continental Fastback By H.J Mulliner

We have sold many S1 Fastbacks in the past, even the original prototype! So know these very well, and this example has such a supreme history as well as being one of the earliest too.

BC 28 BG was originally registered on the 21st September 1956 and built for Mr. Johnstone, the Managing Director of H. J. Mulliner & co Ltd.

She was displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show and quickly sold to and used by Mr Donald Letts, a once regular racing driver.

The first dated paper in the file, other than the build sheets of course - charmingly she still retains her original rear sunblind and the opening head (sunroof) - for work being carried out, is from Jack Barclay dated 1957 for “Remedying failure of N/S stop lamp, and supplying and fitting new bulb”. Such a simple, but charming start to a magnificent history.

There are in fact 2 A4 ring binders bristling full of paperwork, tracing the ownership through old registration documents, receipts and servicing. A remarkable history, even for one of our cars.

In 1961 Jack Barclay, having looked after the car for Mr. Letts, sold her to a J.W Jennings Esq. of Samuel Jones & Co Ltd with correspondence between Mr. Jennings and the then General Manager of Jack Barclay, B.O Davis all in the file.

The story continues!! Whilst with Mr Jennings living in Buckinghamshire, he did have works carried out by other specialists during his time but always with Rolls-Royce Limited companies.

In 1968, she was once again handed over to a new keeper, under the title 'The Freeman Heating Co.', who undertook various maintenance works to ensure the quality and originality was maintained, as the following keepers did too and all documented fully in the file.

1979 saw David Rolfe - a name familiar to most for being a regional chairman of the BDC - purchased the car and for 35 years kept, looked after, and enjoyed her thoroughly, as you would expect being the chairman of the BDC, until a very well known friend of ours, Mr. Head, took over ownership in 2008. Upon collecting her, he had a specialist detail a thorough report of her, remedying every suggestion.

In 2010 our friend, Mr. Head, took the car for a rally in Australia where she did not miss one beat! Such to the preparation work carried out and once again all visible in the file.

2017 saw a full restoration take place; bare metal respray, complete re-trim, new headlining, carpets, the lot. On top of this, £17,000 was spent ensuring mechanically she was perfect, as well as having the veneers refinished, done to the highest of orders

This beauty is more than immaculate, and although our photographs are superb, she appears better in the flesh, so please do come and see her!!