The Bentley S1 Continental contrasted strongly with the company’s “Standard Steel Saloons” of the late 1950s. While the chassis and engine were virtually identical between the two models, the Continental boasted a 2.923:1 rear axle, allowing the big six-cylinder mill, with its 8.0:1 compression ratio, to propel the car to sustained high speeds over long distances with incredible ease. The remarkable performance of the S1 Continental, along with its stunning good looks, made it the Bentley of choice for the fortunate few capable of affording it.

Among the most elegant and noteworthy coachbuilt bodies available on this chassis was H.J. Mulliner’s sports saloon, nicknamed “Flying Spur” after the heraldic device of one of Mulliner’s managing directors. With its smooth, flowing lines and sporty close-coupled styling, it was a predecessor of the popular “four-door coupes” built by modern luxury car manufacturers, as well as the inspiration for the modern Bentley Continental Flying Spur. For obvious reasons, then, it is considered among the most desirable S1 Continentals to be found today.

The S1 Continental Flying Spur was available in two models, with either four or six side windows; the four-window or “Four Light” variant, style number 7443/B, was the rarest, being used on only 14 S1 Continental chassis.

The car offered here from the Craig McCaw Collection, chassis number BC2FM, is notated on its Rolls-Royce Chassis Specification Sheet as having been displayed on the Mulliner stand at the 1958 Earls Court Motor Show in London. Mulliner supplied their own special rear brake lights, turn signals, and reflectors for the car. It was also fitted with a cowl-mounted radio antenna and special-ordered head, fender, fog, and number plate lights, as well as the optional power steering. Subsequently, it was delivered in November of 1958 by famous London dealer Jack Barclay to his local client R.E.J. Macready, for whom it was registered as VXO 824.

In 1961, the car was purchased by the British Overseas & General Investments Company, Ltd., of Brook House, Park Lane, London, passing later, in 1963, to J. Green, Esq., of central London. It remained in England until 2012, with MoT test results since the late 1960s on file, and then came to the United States, where it was acquired for Mr. McCaw’s stable.

The car remains very solid and presentable, with an excellent older cosmetic restoration. The doors close extremely well, and the paint is still in very good condition, as is the exterior brightwork. Inside the car appears mostly original, with welcomingly worn leather upholstery and new carpeting, as well as a tool kit hidden under the front seat and an upgraded HMV Radiomobile AM/FM radio with iPod jack. The original Jack Barclay sales tag is still in the glovebox. Under the hood and underneath the car show regular use and enjoyment. In the same vein, it is important to note that the car, recently inspected by RM Sotheby’s, starts, runs, and drives beautifully, as it should, having undergone extensive sorting work by the famed British Bentley specialists, P&A Wood, receipts for which are on file along with copies of original build documents and other important correspondence.

A superb Flying Spur to use and enjoy, this is a fine example of a truly classic Bentley.