1962 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur Saloon

As a general rule, people who buy Rolls-Royces and Bentleys are rarely shy, retiring types who can’t stand the thought of attracting attention.

But whereas buyers of the former may want observers to notice them, Bentley owners usually prefer any admiring glances to be directed at the car.

This sublime S2 Continental Flying Spur illustrates that subtle but important point of differentiation as well as any Bentley we’ve ever seen.

It oozes understated class and refinement from every highly polished pore on its delightfully sculpted flanks.

If it were any more elegant and debonair it would be wearing Cary Grant’s monogrammed silk pyjamas and enjoying a cocktail with David Niven.

The car was previously auctioned by Bonhams at the 2016 Goodwood Members’ Meeting, when the listing noted that the car - then as now finished in Regal Red with a beige leather interior – had ‘benefited from a high-quality re-spray and high-quality interior re-trim, carried out circa 2011/2012.’

Not content with looking as sumptuous as it undoubtedly does, this very special car is also in first-class mechanical order, as evidenced by an entirely incident-free cross-continental European tour of some 1,200kms last year, when it was piloted from London via Paris to Munich.

The car was most recently in the hands of Joe Macari Classics, in whose highly capable hands it was the recipient of nearly £11,000 of work including the overhaul and refurbishment of the braking and exhaust systems, plus all manner of fault-finding, fixing and fettling.

This is a very big car.

The fact that its physical enormity isn’t apparent until you see it next to a ‘normal’ sized car is a testament to the beautifully proportioned design and execution of the bodywork.

Somehow its svelte silhouette disguises its size and there’s absolutely nothing ungainly or cumbersome about the way it presents from any angle.

The bodywork has no dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds of any consequence anywhere that we can see.

The wheels are in excellent order and the matching (and correct) Avon Turbosteel tyres look to have plenty of life and wear left in them.

The chrome-work is in fine fettle everywhere, as are the lights, lenses and badging, save for a small crack in the yellow plastic on the o/s/r indicator.

All other exterior fixtures and fittings are good.

For the most part, the Regal Red paintwork is a treat to behold and has retained plenty of shine and depth of lustre.

There are just one or two minor cosmetic things to point out, starting with some cracked paint and the odd spot of nascent bubbling around the rim of the o/s/f wheel-arch.

There’s also some cracked paint at the base of the driver’s door and a spot of bubbling at the forward base of the o/s/r wheel-arch.

Finally, we noticed a few air bubbles under the paint in the crease of the swage line on the driver’s door.

The condition of the car’s interior is every bit a match for its exterior counterpart in terms of condition, preservation and quality.

The cream/beige upholstery has yet to earn more than a light crease or two, let alone any ingrained patina, and the only signs of wear we could find anywhere were on the outer bolster of the driver’s seat backrest.

The seats, front and back, are comfortable and supportive.

The headlining is good, save for a slightly loose and baggy section at the rear, as are the carpets and mats.

There are some cracks to the wood veneers and lacquer on top of the dashboard and there are some small tears to the leather at the top and bottom of both front door cards.

There are also some cracks to the veneers where they meet the ‘C’ pillars.

The steering wheel, gear selector, handbrake and other controls are all in very good order and, as far as we’re aware, all switches, dials, knobs, instruments and buttons do what they’re asked to do in a timely and faithful fashion.

The enormous boot (we’ve seen smaller studio flats) is in excellent condition.

The engine bay looks clean, dry and fresh and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car also look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and everything seems sound and solid as far as we can tell.

Nothing we’ve seen has given us cause to tut, shake our heads or raise an eyebrow.

The car comes with plenty of evidence of recent expenditure, much of it through Joe Macari Classics, and a file of invoices, bills and receipts attesting to earlier work carried out through, primarily, marque specialists.

Flying Spares is well represented among the parts invoices.

There are also much earlier invoices and correspondence to be seen. We know from these that the engine was completely rebuilt in 1977, when the mileage on the 5-digit odometer was recorded as being 121,000.

There are also a number of 1960’s letters between the car’s then owner and the boss of marque dealer Mead of Maidenhead – a man with the fine title of D.E. Johnson, Commander, R.N. (Rt’d).

Splendid stuff.

The car comes with full sets of keys, a clear HPI report and a V5C.

This stunning car is as beautiful as it is rare – and it’s very rare indeed.

It has levels of breeding, deportment and innate class that make virtually everything else on the road seem rather vulgar and look as if it’s wearing a shell suit and trainers.

It has been cared for, looked-after and curated by all the right people and has recently demonstrated its mechanical prowess by effortlessly devouring over 1,200 kms of European roads.

We like it a great deal and we’re very confident that you will, too.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £90,000 - £110,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.