1957-Bentley-S1 by Freestone and Webb

Description

1957 Bentley S1 Saloon
Coachwork by Freestone and Webb
Chassis no. B532EG Eng. No, BE266

The S1, which replaced the Mark VI, made its predecessor look decidedly old-fashioned, and represented the last of the separate-frame Bentleys. As such, they were the last of the cars that could be fitted with custom coach-built bodies. This is one such car, with bodywork by Freestone and Webb. Powered by large six-cylinder engines, and equipped with power steering, power brakes, the cars also had four-speed automatic transmissions.

Freestone and Webb was formed in 1923 by V.E. Freestone and A.J. Webb to build car bodies, focusing on private orders for Rolls Royce and Bentley chassis. They exhibited regularly at the London Motor Show, and for nine years consecutively, won the Gold Metal in the Private Coachbuilders Competition. Freestone and Webb ceased body production in 1958, making this car, B532EG, the last known Bentley to have received coachwork by Freestone and Webb. This car is one of two known to have received body design #3171A, and was delivered to Freestone and Webb on May 24th 1957. The work was commissioned by dealer, H.R. Owen Ltd. And the car was sold new to Mrs. M.Y. Herbert Jenkins on January 15, 1958.

The owner previous to the current owner kept the car for twenty years and took pride in caring for this important motor car. He had a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration performed at a cost of approximately $110,000. The restoration was completed in 2004, and there are is a binder containing photographs from the body restoration. Additionally, the car has records back to the mid 1980’s, and copies of the original build sheets. The restoration included a bare-metal repaint, new chrome, retrimmed interior, new carpets, wood. Receipts document the mileage from 30,000 miles to its present indicated 62,000 miles. Additionally, the car comes with color 1957 Bentley S1 sales literature, hand toolkit, all large tools, and owner’s handbooks.

Cosmetically, the car is in very fine shape. The paintwork and body are both very good, with no corrosion in evidence. The color combination is lovely and is an original Bentley offering, as depicted in the included sales brochure. Close inspection reveals some gap inconsistencies and paint imperfections; however, the overall impression of the car is quite strong, as would be expected of a car that recently won its concours class at the Rolls-Royce National Meet in Stevenson, Washington. Additionally, the car was invited to the Meadowbrook Hall Concours d’Elegance. The chrome is excellent overall, with only a handful of small scratches, and the lights and glass are excellent throughout, including the Lucas Flamethrower fog lamps.

The interior is in exceptional condition. The wood has superb luster throughout and no noteworthy deterioration since the completion of the restoration. The carpets and upholstery are also in like new condition, as are the switches, controls, and instruments. There is an abundance of neat detailing, from the fold-out tables in the rear compartment to the beveled glass decorations on the dome lamps to the storage compartments in the front doors.

The engine compartment and trunk are both extremely clean, correct, and appropriately detailed for show. The car retains its large tools, jack, and spare, and the trunk contains the secondary air conditioning unit for the rear of the car. Additionally, the car runs and drives extremely well, and is ready to use for touring.

This is a truly unique opportunity to acquire one of the last coachbuilt Bentleys. While Mulliner cars of various descriptions tended to closely resemble the Standard Steel cars, this Freestone and Webb example has a dramatic and unique appearance that sets it apart, even among coach built cars. In addition to being beautifully restored and ready to show or drive, this car is also very complete and historically important.