1959 Bentley S1 Continental Goes for a Drive

[@glynjones2540]

In around 1961/2 I used to walk up Arundel Street from Temple Underground station to the Strand. Most mornings, half way up, there would be an S1 Continental HJM fastback in immaculate black. The owner would be getting his stuff out of the passenger side; he would have been in his '60s, always wore a black suit (no vulgar pin or chalk stripes!) and a bowler hat. The car had a two letter, one digit personalised number which I just can't remember. In those happy days the car could just be left all day by the kerbside.

[@RichieRouge206]

What an elegant, beautiful motorcar. A time when luxury and class wasn’t financed and designed to impress. Great video Matt

[@furiousdriving]

Thanks, it was the best looking Bentley

[@henrygingold6549]

Take a look at Lady Docker, the quintessence of shabby new rich

[@OldVenture]

I worked weekends as a chauffeur for 20 years and got to drive a Bentley S1 a Rolls Royce Siver Cloud 1 and a Phantom 5, brings back fond memories. BTW Matt you missed the actual tea shelf, when you pulled out the front ash tray that it is housed in the picnic table.

[@martinmcdonald4207]

I was waiting for him to find his perfect tea cup shelf!

[@martinclapton2724]

Jason King , starring Peter Wyngarde , drove one like this in his series from the early 1970s , the series followed on from Department S . His car was the same colour scheme as this example. Lovely , classy aristocratic body design, beautiful.

[@ibs5080]

Department S, right? I remember him well. He also featured in a magazine ad for aftershave that had the slogan "Peter Wyngarde smells...great".

[@rabmcleod3508]

Peter Wyngarde's 1953 Bentley R Type Continental Sports saloon NRU 10 which he owned from 1971-77 sold at auction a while back for £438.182

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

The character of Jason King did not drive a Bentley S1 Continental Flying Spur by H J Mulliner, which this car is. He drove an S2 Continental 4-door saloon with coachwork by James Young, far more rare than this car, and finished in the same Regal Red paint. He drove an S2 Continental H J Mulliner 2-door saloon in a couple of episodes, finished in Shell Grey.

[@rabmcleod3508]

@@JSDesign.Hongkong you’re correct. I didn’t say Jason King drove that car, I said Peter Wyngarde owned and drove it.

[@dannystevens5189]

Perhaps this is the actual car

[@JPoulAndersson]

My father owned an ‘62 S2 Continental Flying Spur back in the eighties. Bought at Peter Fischer’s as a wedding present for himself. Midnight blue with dove grey hide. A work of art on wheels.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍 Always thought the Mulliner Bentley S1 Continental, especially the Fastback, was one of the most beautifully styled cars ever produced. Somehow, even when stationary it gives the impression of motion. Also, tend to think the Bentley coachwork had more understated class than R-R Silver Cloud.

[@COIcultist]

Modern Rolls Royce cars have no understatement they are where's handbags for vulgar people with money.

[@manofthehour6856]

AMAZING! A previous post Martin Clapton mentioned how Jason King drove one, but the one that came to my mind when I jumped at the chance to watch this was one that Roger Moore drove (albeit a Series 3 Flying Spur) drove in the black and white episode of "The Saint" entitled "The Chequered Flag" from 1965. Despite being set in England (Brands Hatch), the Volvo is nowhere to be seen, and there is no explanation for why he is driving this car. Simon Templar looks very smart indeed wearing a sheepskin driving coat and piloting this around. Justine Lord looks just as great by his side, as well as nude in silhoutte! Quite racy (no pun intended!) for 1965!!!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

As has been mentioned before, this car is almost an exact replica of the one driven in the 1969-70 ITC Series "Department S" by Peter Wyngarde as Jason King, but that was an S2 four door saloon by James Young. In the later Jason King spin off series, it was replaced by a silver/grey two door Continental.

[@DarkKnightwing75]

Far from an exact replica, this car is an S1 Continental Flying Spur by H.J. Mulliner. The car in Department S was an S2 Continental Sports Saloon by James Young, it’s a completely different body and engine, the only similarity is that they’re both Bentley S-Series Continentals and both are Regal Red.

[@loveisall5520]

Our Car and Driver magazine did an amazing test in a 1965 issue comparing the M-B 600, R-R SC III, Jaguar Mk X, and Cadillac, Lincoln and Imperial cars. They were amazed at the efficiency of the old R-R mechanical brakes and that old Hydra-Matic that was replaced on the Silver Cloud. Other than the brakes they were very unimpressed with the Silver Cloud, saying it's the ultimate refinement of a 1939 Packard... Needless to say, their top choice was that M-B 600.

[@replevideo6096]

I couldn't hear the engine when you started it or while you were driving it. I think it's your first revue where you didn't have to raise your voice to be heard. What a beautiful car.

[@peterriggall8409]

Your hushed tones highlighted the quietness. OMG, that is bloody gorgeous. Great video Matt. and testament to your reputation that you were allowed to do this test drive.

[@loveisall5520]

The regular steel SC body was so beautiful that this car has a tough competitor indeed. That Flying Spur body is fascinating to this American guy because the rear seat is located so far back in the chassis, rather like a pre-war American car. Doesn't help the ride in the back but keeps the wheelbase from becoming unwieldy. By the time this car was out our American cars had the windshield much further forward in relation to the driver. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@chriskappert1365]

To me the epitome of how a saloon should look , the Cloud and S1 . To this day never bettered , the sweeping shoulderline , the long sloping bonnet and boot , that magnificent masculine front that does never look blunt . Perfect architecture on wheels , love the collor . ❤❤❤

[@mikekemp9877]

the continental gained its name from originally being a nick name given to the new 50s racier style bentleys that harked back to their early racing years.it was used by the designers and mechanics due to the gearstick being on the drivers right next to the door rather than in the middle .so you were driving continental style using your right hand to change gear as on the continent.the makers heard it referred to as such in a development meeting and thought the term summed up the ethos of the car as the ultimate grand tourer so then adopted it.im not sure ironically that given the odd position of the gear change if any early continentals were sold as left hand drive for europe and america if they were they would truly be the continental continental.

[@jumpferjoy1st]

Lovely video showing the character of the car. My father had a pretty standard S2 in black in the sixties and early seventies. So sad he sold it. Doubly sad he sold it cheap during the fuel crisis. But then nowadays it would cost £160 to fill up and give 200 miles from that, if you were careful.

[@edwinblank58]

Beautiful! With a real Rolls-Royce engine.

[@danieleregoli812]

This, along with the James Young design, is such an elegant and truly beautiful automobile. It's so much, much more elegant than anything Bentley would produce these days, least of all the Bentayga.

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

It is now VAG group, same nightmare from Germany as Bugatti, Audi, Lamborghini, etc.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Magnificent motorcar, Matt. Beautiful indeed. Perfectly styled, carefully built by hand. Even that grill is hand made, without the use of a buck. That material on the ceiling is indeed the optional West of England cloth. The leather is Connelly and the carpet is Wilton. As an aside, Connelly hides came from Belgium because barbed wire was illegal there, meaning fewer scars, and so flaws, in the hide.

[@danr1920]

Meanwhile back in the U.S. all new styles lasted a couple of years. Chrome and more chrome. Lower wider longer. Still timeless and elegant. Late '30's styling. Love the interior, especially the wood.

[@stephenholland5930]

Yes, quite a contrast to a '59 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with the huge tailfins.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent review Matt, what a beautiful looking Bentley, the colour makes it stand out and that interior is beautiful and luxurious.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

What a beautiful piece of British engineering. These old Bentleys are just gorgeous. Ahhh 😌

[@caspaabriel4794]

Matt, it's all been said, so I join the audience in a standing ovation and enthusiastic applaud. Matt one of your best video's yet.

[@garygriffiths2911]

Timelessly regal and that maroon colour suites it down to the ground. I like it!

[@williamgreer4087]

I love how you naturally talked in a slower, calmer manner as soon as you started driving it!

[@mpersad]

Matt, you continue to find marvellous cars to review, and this is one of the best to date. What an absolutely beautiful car. So refined and such class! If only I had the money, space etc etc! Top video, thank you.

[@ladonnabellavillalobos9627]

The very moment I saw this exact car or at least the year and color, I fell in love with my first car at the time I was 15 years old soon to be 16. It was so beautiful and my favorite color, I have never change my mind and all my 68 years of life, I wanted that car because I always love driving, I was taught how to drive at 12 years old. That would be the perfect car for what I had in mind, not the ordinary dream of a 15 year old young lady, I wanted that car because I had purchased a chauffeurs uniform, my friend’s mother Worked for Jack Henry, she was a Taylor. She was more than happy to custom make that uniform for me I look quite snappy! My first experience as an entrepreneur was making pot holders, I had a little loom and bought bags of the luxe you used, I would walk and sell them along the train depot‘s and companies I would make 200 every month I saw them for one dollar I was always sold out and they always ordered more. As I got a little older I realize that they seen this young lady working very hard to earn money and they knew about my dream. You see when I grew up we didn’t have much but we had love and I love my friends so I wanted to show for them around in my car that I bought And for a while they could feel important, of course I love the car myself, but my main thing was to be the chauffeur for my friends and anyone who needed a ride because most people had to walk I was born in 1954, I still haven’t got that car yet but I’ll never give up on my dream! What a wonderful beautiful work of art that’s what I seen when I looked up on that car for the first time it was falling in love with a great work of art not just a car. I have never in my life gazed upon a more beautiful artwork than my Bentley.

[@phillipevans9414]

Matt, I am one very envious Aussie Bentley fan - love these old S series bentleys, and like you, would have one in a heartbeat if my budget would allow - maybe one day, I too will be so lucky to have a drive in one, like you. Cheers, and keep the great video's comming.

[@furiousdriving]

Ive driven one before so was very excited to be taking this one out, and it didnt disappoint. We need to keep buying those lottery tickets..

[@cornishrider]

Fabulous! Back in 1997 aged 25 I was lucky enough to drive one as the Dealership I worked at was a Rolls Royce Bentley Service Agent. I was mildly concerned the brakes weren't up to the job!

[@ranjanaluwihare1511]

“Elegant presence” when Bentleys were exquisitely beautiful! ❤️🙏🏽

[@Spookieham]

That intro said it all or rather didn't - almost no noise. One doesn't drive a Bentley, one proceeds in one.

[@pedrokd5439]

Wonderful classic designed bodywork. Love the creases over the front and rear wings.😊

[@timoliver4548]

Power windows were optional, but conservative 50s British buyers often considered them an unnecessary gimmick. Air conditioning was usually only optioned by those who had traveled to the USA & discovered how wonderful it was.

[@frothe42]

This earns the name "Motorcar", an exceptional vehicle! Done tastefully, not ostentatious. I like this better than the current crop of VAG Bentley vehicles.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

I love VAG Bentleys. And I love this one even more.

[@keithmatthews1673]

Definitely not to be driven furiously! It would be interesting to compare it to the 1950s Austin Princess that was intended to compete with the Bentleys and Rollers. There seem to be a few Princesses left that did not turn into iron oxide but I''ve only seen one at Gaydon museum.

[@mattw8332]

What a wonderful car. Can't get over how narrow it's doors are for the class of car it is.

[@johndutton9739]

Worth keeping an eye out in America for these - they seem still to be available at the £15k mark for a standard saloon in reasonable ropey but driving condition. Loved the video - car is just so perfect in pretty much every way (apart from that bonnet!)

[@pcno2832]

9:06 I assume that's a version of the old GM Hydramatic 4 speed, which was built by Rolls under license until around 1969. Dating back to 1939, it was one of the last automatics to lack both a torque converter and a Park position. I've read that on some GM cars with Hydramatics, a parking pin would engage automatically when you shut the engine off, but I wouldn't count on that. I hope that parking brake is stronger than on most modern cars. I believe some of Chrysler's early pushbutton transmissions also lacked a Park position, but by 1965 both Chrysler and Rolls/Bentley had to switch to more conventional PRDNL shifters on the cars they sold in the USA.

[@furiousdriving]

You are correct, it is a Hydramatic, and Id be wanting that hand brake checked as well!

[@jamesstuart3346]

My only knock on the styling is that it could have used 2 more inches of wheelbase so as to fit proper-sized rear doors. But that would have compromised the sporty look

[@brusselssprouts560]

Over 50 years old and whisper quiet. A classy vehicle!

[@danielrussell446]

such a wonderful car when Bentley and Rolls Royce were graceful stylish and to quote themselves the best car in the world

[@robert3302]

I would have liked to see you lower the window. I understand the Rolls/Bentley winders were quite quick and effortless, almost as smooth as power lifts.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Impeccable review Matt of a truly beautiful and timeless car.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

They don't make such cars anymore. The very long front makes this car a very elegant and quite unique. That time it was a luxury car and today it is even more. I like the hand made parts in the interior. Wonderful. This is definitively a dream car. Keep up. You got my like and... drop by if have time. :)

[@robertfoster6070]

The Bentley has the presence of a Grand Piano. You know whoever is in the driving seat of the Bentley or Grand Piano bench is somebody special.

[@seancooke7332]

I cannot think of an adequate adjective for this Wonderful car. Thanks Matt.

[@furiousdriving]

Im not sure there is one, its just to good

[@grahamclark4518]

Difficult to describe how beautiful this is, but I'd be too scared to drive it

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

Frank Dale was a dealer in secondhand RR and Bentley, this car was supplied new by London retailer The Car Mart Ltd, to Beechams Ltd, I think they were the chemist's suppliers. It was Tudor Grey, a mid to dark colour, with red leather, and registered VYF 50. Nice car!

[@nigelrudd670]

You rang mlady , yes furious off to Devon 🤓👍

[@nickwarren9673]

Absolutely loved this review Mr Furious.

[@michaelbacon561]

A small detail I've never noticed before on other Rolls and Bentleys is that the A pillars inside are body-coloured and not trimmed. Was that a subtle attempt to give it a sporty vibe??

[@kevinnye5132]

Your letting the side down Matt 🤔 you could have made the effort and got suited & booted with a chauffeur hat to go with your posh telephone voice in the introduction 😉, what a car though !!!! Real 1950s poshness personified and never seen one before so well done 👌🏻, great vid Matt .

[@furiousdriving]

It was too hot for for a hat or suit!

[@danielrussell446]

@@furiousdriving panama hat would have been fab?

[@kevinnye5132]

Yeah I guessed you’d use that old chestnut Matt 😂, did look hot though 🥵.

[@daviemaclean61]

One is getting above ones station with this one! ;-)

[@sunbeam8866]

I like how you made that lorry vanish. Love those old straight sixes. Touch screens are no luxury and I detest them. I have none in my vehicles!

[@rogerburrows2429]

Many years ago around the late 60’s l had a ride in an identical car to this one. It was owned then by Valder Gates,chairman of Cow and Gate. Exactly the same colour and the reg no. was VG23. It was garaged at Ladymead garage Guildford. The chauffeur lived in a little cottage there,and my dad worked for Wincanton transport,and the workshops and fuel for the milk lorries were based here. I wonder if it’s the same car?

[@Petrospect]

One of the most beautiful cars in the world.

[@asa1973100]

It’s identical to the car in an episode of Randall and Hopkirk deceased and it’s absolutely gorgeous

[@pcno2832]

11:22 My mother's '57 Beetle had a visor (driver's side only) like that. I've always wondered why tinted visors were not more common.

[@georgimihalkov4781]

An absolutely gorgeous car! It's pretty interesting that the gearbox is American and it's a 4 speed auto. Most US cars were still using 2 speed boxes in the 50s.

[@furiousdriving]

Its a Hydra-matic from GM

[@michaeltutty1540]

GM started off supplying automatic gearboxes to Rolls-Royce. Eventually Rolls-Royce began making them under license. There was a major issue with the early Rolls-Royce built units. The machine shop made everything to the exacting standards of Rolls-Royce, and the transmissions would not work. They had to leave the parts in the more crudely machined state acceptable to GM. They worked perfectly, but needed thee first service at about 1,000 miles to get the quarter to half pound of filings out before they did damage

[@Stevieweevietv]

Beautiful car. Can picture myself giving the royal wave while I drive into sainsburys to do my weekly shop! I'm thinking I'd have to sell my house, my cars and possibly my body (wouldn't get much for that) to afford this car though. It may only be a dream! 🤣

[@knifetrain3118]

I’m American and don’t use this word often but that is an absolute “lovely” car!

[@Strike86]

Amazing how refined it is - you can hear it on the video how quiet it is compared to other cars you've driven. The engine is barely audible.

[@JohnnyPaton]

Thought I’d stumbled into an episode of Downton Abbey for a minute there. Seriously though, what a incredible car.

[@flemmingsorensen5470]

Back when Bentley = elegance👍 What a magnificant car ! If you own a car like this, you wont need a collection - this is all the car, you will ever need😉☺️

[@stuartanderson852]

Was there a 'triangle of doom'? Hub Nut would have checked for that.

[@maxidyne]

This is essential British, style, elegance and class! You never disappoint with your reviews Matt, keep them coming.

[@furiousdriving]

Thanks and much appreciated!

[@TheStobb50]

I used to have the same Bentley Continental even the colour was the same apart from mine was the 2 door, I loved it had it for years and it never went wrong, would have had it now but my dad stood on it and squashed it 🤦

[@jpkatz1435]

A sad, sad day.

[@claughton1345]

Corgi, with fingertip steering. The vest thing to teach one how to drive, including reverse parking...

[@ronmccullock1407]

Fantastic review Matt

[@johnruggles7739]

I believe this was the first Continental to carry the 'Flying Spur' tag, coachwork by HJ Mulliner. My boss had the same car but with a Rolls Royce grille. Somehow the Bentley had more class! It was, after all, the most expensive car to come out the RR factory, excluding the Phantom.

[@deheerKelder]

Oh my Lord. I’m so jealous… What a car!

[@bcfairlie1]

I so adore these Continentals. If I had money I would buy one of these over a brand new Mulsanne

[@HowardLeVert]

Once upon a time, "old money" bought a Bentley whilst "new money" bought a Rolls-Royce.

[@TheLuisg92]

Easily one of the most beautiful sedans ever but there’s one detail that makes this model look unfinished and that is the lack of a chrome moulding around the rear glass

[@bunter6]

Had one of those as my wedding car, was lovely.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Wonderful car. Desirable exterior/interior colour combination. I prefer the 62-65 S3 model with the twin slanted headlamps. What did this particular car sell for?

[@barryphillips7327]

I thought it might have had the 6.75 V8, a lot of car for a six cylinder engine, it will Solidly built not light, fuel consumption will not be good, beautiful wood work, leather interior. Real old school motoring in a gentle mans club on wheels!! Matt IF you hit a modern car in this Bentley you might scratch the paint BUT you will ''Write OFF'' the modern sardine can 🤣😀🤣 Often these days we hear about hp, or its top speed etc blah blah blah, in NZ IF we were caught doing more than 140--150kph you will LOOSE your licence car will confiscated.

[@markonmotoring]

I would imagine the owner of a car like this wouldn't be concerned by transporting luggage to the airport. They are probably not the jet set type, rather more likely indulging in Ocean liner travel. An insightful look into a world very unfamiliar to the working class. How special must this car have felt in period and I suppose still will feel very special today. Great review Matt.

[@furiousdriving]

Theres definitely no room for a steamer trunk in there! You'd have to send you man ahead in the shooting brake

[@stuartdavies5191]

Another great video- Many Thanks Matt !

[@bill8784]

I think I saw a pale blue coupe at the dealers opposite South Ken tube station way back in the 80s.

[@joeseeking3572]

It is beautifully styled and I imagine meticulously put together, but it is also 'of an age'. I'd prefer the S2 Flying Spur and if you can get past the quad headlights (many cannot) there's a nice and slightly improved 65 S3 Flying Spur at Hemmings just now (LHD though)

[@GentilsGarage]

A beautiful thing really. Superb, elegant, majestic… I would have this over any current Bentley.

[@furiousdriving]

thought you wrote over your current Bentley!

[@bill90405]

Love these cars, but cant halp seeing early 50 Chrysler and Ponton Merc in the lines, both of which were well established by the S1’s release.

[@danieleregoli812]

A very fine, very elegant, very British, great classic.

[@ianmead7712]

A real beautiful car and British

[@kenbradley5035]

Put coffee cups on a veneered surface...I don't think so... and as for going to the airport, perhaps to drop someone off would be O.K. chuckle.Nice video and wonderful car.

[@stephenrose8188]

Stunning, stylish and engineered to last. Nice review, thank you.

[@larsfrandsen2501]

Stunning car!

[@ladonnabellavillalobos9627]

Yes car has been the car of my dreams before I even had my drivers license I was born in 1954 and I remember seeing this car I was gonna buy a chauffeurs outfit when I bought this car and drive my friends around and pretend like I was a chauffeur but I actually on the car you never know someday I may on this car it would be a dream come true I’m 68 years old now and I’m still not giving up on it very best car to me in the whole wide world she’s a beaut

[@davidmwood560]

Yes....just, yes

[@mikeymike3240]

Fashion’s stay but style remains, i think 🤔 you got it a little bit wrong, fashions move on but style remains is what you were trying to say, i think. Truly beautiful car, so graceful and elegant, only for the mileage, I’d love 💕 one. Niiiiiiiiiiice video man

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Sure.

[@darrensmith6999]

Wow!!! what a beauty , the sound of those doors closing i bet it smells wonderful inside the wood and leather Ahhhh. I hope she finds a good home. Thank you (:

[@grayfool]

wonderful motorcar.

[@burnotto1663]

Dream car

[@lesklower7281]

What a wonderful car the wood and leather is magnificent l do like wood dash boards had one in my Hillman Gazelle and the Bentley has quarter windows so did a lot of cars in the 40s 50s and 60s classy my late 90s toyota hilux has quarter windows available on the Australian model only it wasn't the last vehicle to have quarter windows the next generation of hiluxes had them which finished in 2003

[@gaufrid1956]

From someone who only ever owned Morris Mini Minor 850's... please excuse how far my jaw dropped!

[@MrTimcoronel]

for something just as plush and over-engineered, with even more waft and vroom, try a Daimler Majestic Major with the 4.5-litre hemi V8.

[@bill8784]

Gorgeous.

[@keithashley6298]

What a beautiful motor car, opulence and class, great review thanks Matt.

[@kjh789az]

Thanks for your enthusiastic review of this timeless classic. MPG?

[@furiousdriving]

we down talk about that...

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

@@furiousdriving down talk???

[@harveyglenn230]

Lovely car. You'd need a big garage for it and extra security to keep it safe. I'm guessing 15 MPG if you drive it gently. With the price of fuel its £1 for every 1.5 miles. That would be the car that you'd think it was worth paying that much for the privilege.

[@nielskjr5432]

Really impressive! 1900 kg?? Not much for a car this size. In Ian Fleming's novels, Bond drove a Bentley.