Up until World War II, most luxury marques such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley supplied only “body-ready” bare chassis. These frames sported all the era’s advanced suspension, braking, and engine systems, but were nearly bare from the instrument panel back. Each chassis was delivered to the coachbuilder of the discerning buyer’s choice. From this muscular blank canvas, coachbuilders across Europe tailored opulent, custom-made bodies fulfilling most any of their clients’ desires.

The coachbuilder most closely associated with Bentley, however, was H.J. Mulliner. Long a favored builder of C.S. Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, Mulliner became so synonymous with Rolls-Royce and Bentley that by the late 1930s, almost all bodies the company built were fitted to those marques.

The graceful Continental S1 Flying Spur debuted in late 1955. With its unique sculpted rear fenders, the Flying Spur is credited to George Moseley, chief designer at H.J. Mulliner. While standard bodies were produced by Pressed Steel for the Series 1 Continentals, a limited number of factory saloon chassis were sent directly to Mulliner in London. The aluminum coachwork, a raised compression ratio, and a longer final drive made these coachbuilt Bentleys more sporting than the standard steel saloons.

One of these opulent saloons, understood to be one of only 16 left-hand-drive versions built to this design for 1957, is offered here. A well-maintained example wearing wonderful patina, this example is being offered from the ownership of a single family for the first time in nearly six decades. Said to have been purchased new by a Pennsylvania oil tycoon, this Flying Spur was acquired by the consignor’s uncle in 1968. The car has been well cared-for over the decades by various Bentley and Rolls-Royce specialists as evidenced by the collection of service records included with the sale. It is presented in silver over patinaed dark blue leather and sports a factory sunroof and air-conditioning system. A period Bentley wooden “touring case” accompanies the car as well.

Wearing coachwork by storied H.J. Mulliner, this Flying Spur is ready to impress its next caretaker, just as it has impressed its current over the last five decades.