1956 Bentley S1 H. J. Mulliner drophead coupé (design no. 7409)

1956 Bentley S1 H. J. Mulliner drophead coupé (design no. 7409) - One of 12 cars built - Exceptionally rare and exclusive - Extremely elegant alloy bodywork - Meticulously restored This magnificent motorcar left the factory in August 1956 as a rolling chassis and was then fitted with an all-aluminium drophead coupé body by H.J. Mulliner, to their design number 7409. It was delivered new to Mr. A.J.N. Barrs in Derby, England, before passing in turn to H.F. Edwards & Co. in London and then to Grassicks Garage in Scotland. It was subsequently exported to the United States and sold to Angelo Gallo in New York, and we have a registration document from 1962 in his name. The car’s whereabouts are less clear until 2010, when it was bought on 21 January by the specialist Gullwing Motor Cars in New York, from whom Thierry Dehaeck purchased it on 1 August that year. The Bentley S1 drophead coupé was in poor condition, but thanks to its aluminium bodywork, it was free from corrosion. Dehaeck then embarked on a complete restoration of the car in his Cady Cars workshop in Ypres. The woodwork and upholstery were entrusted to English specialists, and the car reverted to its original colours: ‘Shell Grey’ with a matching interior and blue carpets. The restoration took three years, following which Dehaeck regularly used the car for touring rallies and concours d'élégance, such as Hampton Court, Salon Privé or the Zoute Grand Prix. This breathtakingly beautiful car is one of 145 Bentley S1s with coachbuilt bodies. This example is one of the 12 cars to be fitted with the all-aluminium body to design no. 7409. Equipped with a 4.9-litre 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, it was also one of the very first European cars with an electric hood. It will be sold with a history file containing its works build sheet, an American registration document, an original owner’s manual and numerous photographs of its restoration. Exclusive, luxurious, comfortable and extremely rare, it is an ideal model with which to take part in top concours events and the most attractive rallies, or simply to enjoy the pleasure of driving it and setting off on a trip with family or friends.

Estimate:£295,115.8

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