Bentley S2

The Bentley S2 is a luxury car produced by Bentley from 1959 until 1962. The successor to the S1, it featured the new Rolls-Royce–Bentley L-series V8 engine and improved air conditioning made possible by that engine's increased output. Power steering was also standard, and a new dashboard and steering wheel were introduced. Some early S2s were built with the earlier S1 dashboard.

Bentley S2
Standard saloon
Overview
ManufacturerBentley Motors (1931) Limited
Production1959–1962
2308 produced
AssemblyCrewe, Cheshire
Body and chassis
Body style2-door saloon
4-door saloon
2-door drophead coupe
RelatedRolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
Powertrain
Engine6.2 L Bentley L410 V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase3124 mm (123 in)
3226 mm (127 in)
Chronology
PredecessorBentley S1
SuccessorBentley S3

A high-performance S2-derived Continental edition was also produced.

1,863 standard and 57 long-wheelbase S2 car chassis were built[1] between 1959 and 1962. Almost all were fitted with standard factory bodywork. A number had coachbuilt bodies by Park Ward, Hooper, H. J. Mulliner & Co., and James Young.

S2

Announced at the beginning of October 1959[2] the S2 replaced the S1's straight-six engine with the new aluminium Rolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 shared with the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. It displaced 6.2 L (6230 cc, or 380 cu in), and offered significantly improved performance.

As advertised in The Times, Friday, 2 October 1959:[2]

The cylinder block and heads are cast in aluminum alloy and hydraulic tappets operate the overhead valves. The engine has a compression ratio of 8 to 1 and is fitted with twin carburetors with automatic choke.

Other features available include fully automatic transmission, power-assisted steering, electrically operated ride control, redesigned and more flexible air conditioning, electric rear window demisters and press button window lifts.

Of the 1,863 standard S2 models produced, 15 had H. J. Mulliner & Co. drophead coupe bodies. Of the 57 long-wheelbase cars, five had James Young bodies and one a Mercedes-Bentley yachting station-wagon body by Wendler.[1]

S2 Continental

An "S2 Continental" chassis was built with higher performance engines and higher gearing for lighter bodywork. 388 were built, bodied by the same group of coachbuilders as the standard S2.

  • Bentley S2standard saloonrear view
    Bentley S2
    standard saloon
    rear view
  • Bentley S2drophead coupéby H J Mulliner 1962
    Bentley S2
    drophead coupé
    by H J Mulliner 1962
  • Bentley Continental S2 2-door saloon by H J Mulliner
    Bentley Continental S2 2-door saloon by H J Mulliner
  • Bentley Continental S2 cabrioletby Park Ward 1962
    Bentley Continental S2 cabriolet
    by Park Ward 1962
  • Bentley Continental S24-door saloonFlying Spur 1961by H J Mulliner
    Bentley Continental S2
    4-door saloon
    Flying Spur 1961
    by H J Mulliner
  • Bentley Continental S24-door saloonFlying Spur 1959by H J Mulliner
    Bentley Continental S2
    4-door saloon
    Flying Spur 1959
    by H J Mulliner

References
  1. "Archived copy". www.dupontregistry.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Display Advertising The Times, Friday, 2 October 1959; pg. 5; Issue 54581; col D
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