1964 Bentley S3 Saloon

Finished in Shell Grey over Tudor Grey with a St. James Red leather interior, this delightful Bentley S3 was first registered in May 1964. The seller bought it from the Real Car Co in North Wales in April 2018, part-exchanging his Corniche as part of the deal.

Once home, he consigned it to Cameron Lunt to have it checked over and once fettled to his satisfaction he continued to look after it in the same way as its previous owners, the most recent of which was a knight of the realm.

Still beautifully conserved, it’s still showing just 40,780 miles on the odometer, which the seller believes is genuine. In a rare and very appealing condition, the S3 just needs someone who’s going to continue to love it in the way it deserves.

The Bentley’s bodywork has seen conservation work, most recently in June and July 2019 for some paint to the nearside front wing, to the roof in August 2018, plus some welding to the underside in June 2018 for the annual MoT.

We are seeing less and less of this sort of work as he emphasis shifts towards restoration rather than conservation. This is a shame, because when it’s done as well as it has been here you keep the car’s character while smartening it up. Viewers of the BBC’s The Repair Shop will be familiar with the process, a process we in the automotive world used to partake in with equal enthusiasm.

But, enough pontificating, even if our views are vindicated in the way this example presents. With good paintwork and excellent panels, it wears its years lightly. Sure, some of the new paintwork doesn’t quite match the older panels but this adds to its charms; it’s not masquerading as something it’s not.

The wheels, hidden behind vast chromed hubcaps, are fitted with matching Galaxy white-walls, fitted new in April 2020.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

But, if we really want to get to the heart of what makes the owner’s attitude towards his Bentley something special we need only tell you that when he bought the car the old Webasto roof had been removed and the roof sealed up.

Not content with this bodge, he found the one remaining chap in Britain who could fit a new one and engaged him to install a brand-new replacement. This took eight weeks to complete - and set him back around £6,000 - but the result is sublime. Barely used, it slides fore aft as it should and seals perfectly.

This also means that the car’s flaws are few. There is some bubbling near the pinstripe on the bonnet, there’s a mark to the radiator grille (#220), the front chrome bumper is starting to show its age (#289), there’s a light dink to the offside rear wing (#234), a scratch to the nearside front wing (#241), and a paint blemish near boot shutline.

As you can see, none is serious.

The condition of the interior reflects that of the exterior. Lightly patinated and the antithesis of the over-restored leather we see so often, it (again) wears every single mile with pride.

You’ll be the judge of what, if any, restorative work you will want to carry out but if it were ours we’d probably just give it a good clean and feed and leave it at that.

Our assessor notes that “the interior is very nice”, going on to remark that “it smells lovely” – and that’s high praise indeed, isn’t it? Especially when he went on to gush: “the headlining, carpets, dash, and seats are all fantastic, and it’s got good wood, too”.

There are some lovely design flourishes including delicate chrome levers to adjust the seats, fold-down picnic tables, foot rests for the rear-seat passengers, and, brilliantly, illuminated vanity mirrors in the C-pillars that feature built-in cigarette lighters, something you’ll search in vain for in your six-figure Bentayga.

The boot is vast and very nicely presented. It also contains a full-size spare wheel fitted with a matching white-wall Galaxy tyre plus the comprehensive tool kit and jack.

As you can see from the thick wad of old invoices and bills from folk like Fearon, Cameron Lunt, and E.K. Motors, the Bentley hasn’t wanted for attention over the years.

In addition to routine servicing, there are invoices for miscellanea such as a horn replacement, washer bottle relocation, a repair to the fuel filter housing, and a new ignition coil.

As you’d expect, it’s running well and starts promptly, showing both good oil pressure and a healthy battery charging rate. Please see the video for details.

The engine bay has been cleaned and painted recently, so looks terrific and having the hinge running along the centerline adds a vintage feel we can’t ever imagine losing delight in.

The underside has also been well looked after, with the structural welding undertaken five years ago being protected by a good coat of underseal.

Despite not needing one, the Bentley’s MoT certificate is valid until March 2024.

As we’ve already mentioned, there is a good history file with the car.

The Following Documents are in the History File:

- V5 Registration Document

- Invoice from EK Motors for MOT, new Horn, Windscreen Washer Pump, Sidelamp Bulb, Cleaning and Adjustment of Rear Brakes (2023)

- Invoice from EK Motors for Replacement of Drive Belts, Spark Plugs, Battery, Top Radiator Hose, Checkover of Cooling System and Brakes, Replacement of Carb Float Washer Seals, Painting of Bulkhead and inner bonnet panels, polishing of radiator, inner wings painted, pinstripes repainted and other engine bay preparation, cleaning and repainting (2023)

- Invoice from EK Motors for refitting of headlining (2020)

- Invoice from EK Motors for Five New Tyres and Balancing (2020)

- Invoice from EK Motors for Radio Conversion, New Bosch Coil and connector, front nearside wing repairs, painting of outer sections (2019)

- Invoice from EK Motors for new Distributor Cap, Rotor Arm, Points and Condenser Assembly (2019)

- Invoice from EK Motors for Chrome Bumper Polishing, Rear Screen Seals, Paint, Rear Internal Wood Trim and Radio Conversion (2019)

- Invoice from EK Motors for roof repairs (2018)

- Invoice from EK Motors for Repairs to Fuel Filter Housing and Replacement Tank (2018)

- Invoice from Cameron Lunt for vehicle checkover, replacement of gearchange quadrant bushes, new feed hoses, bleeding of brakes, adjustments to servo, replacement fuel level sender, rocker cover gaskets, painting of covers, stripping down of front of engine and replacement of timing cover seals (2018)

- Invoice from Flying Spares for Bushes, Water Pump, Steering Box Mount (2017)

- Invoice from Fearon for Power Steering Pipe, New Master Cylinder, New Servo Seals, Bleeding and Adjustment of Brakes (2016)

- Old MOT Certificates

- Copy of Factory Records and Build Sheet

Please see the Document Gallery for closer inspection.

Cars like this are not for everyone; if you enjoy jumping into a pre-warmed car and travelling across Europe in a single bound then this may not be the one for you.

But, if you’ve got a wild, romantic soul it probably is. Because a car like this needs someone who’s going to continue to curate it, to continue its preservation, to conserve it in the way it’s always been conserved.

In return, you’ll have a slice of British history, an exquisitely built, V8-powered saloon that’ll take you effortlessly from the West End to Goodwood at the drop of a hat, garnering admiring glances along the way.

And, we estimate it’ll only cost you somewhere between £18,000 and £25,000, which is a pitifully small amount to have a car like this in your life.

Oh, and the vendor believes the number plate has value in itself, since it looks a bit like Well Big.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.