Bentley S1

{{More citations needed|date=March 2019}} {{Use British English|date=January 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}} {{Infobox automobile | name = Bentley S1 | image = Bentley S1 registered January 1959 4887cc.JPG | manufacturer = Bentley Motors Limited (1931) | production = 1955–1959 3,538 produced | assembly = United Kingdom: Crewe, England (Bentley Crewe) | predecessor = R Type | successor = S2 | class = Full-size luxury car | body_style = 4-door saloon 2-door coupe | layout = FR layout | platform = separate chassis | engine = 4.9 L I6 | transmission = 4-speed automatic | wheelbase = {{convert|123|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} <ref name=Motor1957/> {{convert|127|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|211.75|in|mm|abbr=on}} <ref name=Motor1957/> | width = {{convert|1898.65|mm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1631.95|mm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|1924|kg|0|abbr=on}} | related = Bentley S1 Continental Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud | sp = uk }}

The '''Bentley S1''' (originally simply "Bentley S") was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 until 1959. The S1 was derived from Rolls-Royce's complete redesign of its standard production car after World War II, the Silver Cloud. Each was its maker's last standard production car with an independent chassis. The S-series Bentley was given the Rolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 engine in late 1959 and named the S2. Twin headlamps and a facelift to the front arrived in late 1962, resulting in the S3. In late 1965, the S3 was replaced by the new unitary construction Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow-derived T series.

==Bentley standard steel saloon== left|thumb|1959 Bentley S1 rear The car was announced at the end of April 1955,<ref name=TTRB>New Rolls-Royce And Bentley Road Performance Improved FROM OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT. ''The Times'', Wednesday, 27 April 1955; pg. 9; Issue 53205; col B</ref> and it was noted that the existing Continental model would continue. The new standard steel saloon replaced the R type standard steel saloon which had been in production, with modifications, since 1946. It was a more generously sized five- or six-seater saloon, with the body manufactured in pressed steel with stressed skin construction. Doors, bonnet [hood] and luggage locker lid [trunk lid] were of aluminium.

Having a totally new external appearance, although with the traditional radiator grille, the main differences from the R type were: * three inches longer wheelbase * lower build without reducing headroom and with an enlarged luggage boot [trunk] * softer suspension with electrically operated control of rear dampers * lighter steering and improved braking * engine capacity increased to 4887cc, the same size as used in the Bentley Continental * four-speed automatic gearbox was standard, with ability to select individual ratios if desired.

==Standard and long wheelbase saloon and chassis== left|thumb|1959 Bentley S1 interior As with the preceding Mark VI and R type Bentleys, there was almost no difference between standard Bentley and Rolls-Royce models; this Bentley S differing only in its radiator grille shape and badging from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I.

The models shared the 4.9 L (4887 cc/298 in3) straight-6 engine. They were the last vehicles to be powered by descendants of the engine originally used in the Rolls-Royce Twenty from 1922 to 1929. The bore was {{convert|95.25|mm|in|abbr=on}}, stroke was {{convert|114.3|mm|in|abbr=on}} and compression ratio 6.6:1. Twin SU carburetors were fitted, with upgraded models from 1957. A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard.

Two wheelbases were produced: {{convert|123|in|mm}} and, from 1957, {{convert|127|in|mm}}.

A standard-wheelbase car tested by the British magazine ''The Motor'' in 1957 had a top speed of {{convert|103|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from {{convert|0|-|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 13.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|16.1|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car, which had the optional power steering, cost £6305 including taxes of £1803.<ref name=Motor1957>{{cite journal|title = The Bentley S Series| journal =The Motor| date = 10 July 1957}}</ref>

===Production=== * '''S''': 3,072 (145 with coachbuilt bodies) * '''S long wheelbase''': 35 (12 with coachbuilt bodies) {{Clear}} {{Clear}}

==S Continental== {{Infobox automobile | image = 1956 Bentley Continental coupé by Park Ward.jpg | name = Bentley S Continental | caption = Park Ward Continental Fixed-Head Coupé, also available as a Drophead Coupé | manufacturer = Park Ward, on chassis provided by Bentley Motors (1931) Limited | aka = | production =

| assembly = United Kingdom: Crewe, England (Bentley Crewe: chassi) United Kingdom: London, England (Park Ward: body) | predecessor = | successor = | class = Full-size luxury car | body_style = 4-seater 2-door fixed-head coupé or drophead coupé | layout = FR layout | platform = separate chassis | engine = 4.9 L I6 | transmission = 4-speed automatic | wheelbase = {{convert|123|in|mm|abbr=on}} <ref name=Motor1957/> {{convert|3225.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|210.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} <ref name=Motor1957/> | width = {{convert|1828.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1587.5|mm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|1803.5|kg|0|abbr=on}} | related = Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud | sp = uk }} A high-performance version '''S Continental''' (chassis only) was introduced six months after the introduction of the S1. Lighter weight fixed-head and drophead coupé bodies were provided to special order (for a premium of about 50%) by H. J. Mulliner & Co., Park Ward, James Young and Freestone & Webb. A pre-production 2-seater fixed-head coupé on the new chassis was designed and built for the Bentley factory by Pininfarina.

<gallery widths="200" heights="150"> File:1956 Bentley S1 Continental PW 6069446660 (cropped).jpg|Park Ward File:1956 Bentley Continental S1 Park Ward (21859295666).jpg|Park Ward File:Oldtimer Show 2007 - 015 - Bentley (front).jpg|H. J. Mulliner File:Oldtimer Show 2007 - 016 - Bentley (rear).jpg|H. J. Mulliner File:1958 Bentley SL Continental - Flickr - Supermac1961.jpg|H. J. Mulliner </gallery>

===Production=== * '''S Continental''': 431{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} {{Clear}}

==References== {{Commons category|Bentley S1}} {{reflist}}

S1 Category:Sedans Category:Coupés Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Cars introduced in 1955 Category:Cars discontinued in 1959