Bentley’s introduction of the V-8-powered S2 Continental continued the company’s tradition of “The Silent Sports Car,” as it was an automobile in which four adults could waft comfortably at high speeds over long distances in great comfort. Few body styles on this sporting chassis were quite as seductive as coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner’s design number 7443, a four-door sport saloon with sculpted rear fenders and attractive close-coupled lines. This car was designed by George Moseley and was the forerunner of the “four-door coupes” that are so popular among today’s luxury car buyers. It was nicknamed the “Flying Spur,” which was a reference to its dashing nature, and there was no better automobile for arriving at Ascot.

Mulliner produced 128 examples of the Flying Spur on the S2 Continental chassis, of which a mere 52 were left-hand drive examples. This particular car, chassis BC102LAR, was one of those few, and it was originally commissioned by Mr. Jean Lambert. When Mr. Lambert withdrew his order in March 1961, the car was reassigned to Mrs. Corinne G. Kocens, of Houston, Texas, to whom it was shipped direct from London aboard the Iserlohn for delivery on April 11, 1961. Special features specified included electrically operated windows, a Sundym glass windscreen, high-frequency horns, and full air conditioning, with the latter undoubtedly being quite useful in the heat of a Texas summer.

Sadly, Mrs. Kocens had little opportunity to enjoy her new Bentley, as she passed away in January of the following year. The Flying Spur was acquired shortly thereafter by its most loving caretaker, Academy Award-winning actor Mr. Gregory Peck, as is documented by Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club records, with copies of which being included in the car’s file.

Peck was widely known as one of the great gentlemen and “class acts” of Hollywood; that he should drive a Bentley was only in keeping with his image. He reportedly purchased this Bentley to celebrate the release of To Kill a Mockingbird, the now-classic film for which he was awarded his Best Actor Oscar, and he called it his “Mockingbird Bentley.” Peck adored his Flying Spur, and he kept and maintained it for a remarkable 34 years. Reportedly, it was used only for special occasions, and accordingly, it had recorded only 84,000 California-traveled miles by the time he finally parted with it in 1996.

In its present ownership, the Flying Spur has been recommissioned with a body-up restoration, including new British Racing Green paint, a light tan leather interior, and green carpeting. With an automatic transmission, power steering, a highly geared rear axle, and superior four-shoe front brakes, it is an easy car to drive, and today, it is as appropriate for cruising Wilshire Boulevard or the Hollywood hills as it was for Gregory Peck in 1962.

The car’s present owner, Michael Hammer, is the grandson of Dr. Armand Hammer, a close friend of Gregory Peck’s. He recalls Peck coming to the Hammer home for Sunday lunch on a regular basis, always driving his Mockingbird Bentley. Dr. Hammer told his grandson that he regretted not buying Mr. Peck’s Flying Spur when it was offered to him years ago. Michael Hammer was able to rectify this when he subsequently purchased the Mockingbird Bentley for his own collection and commissioned its restoration.

Bearing documented history and a recent quality restoration, this Flying Spur is both an exceptional piece of Hollywood history and an excellent example of the most desirable saloon coachwork on the S2 Continental chassis.