Bentley S3 Continental MPW drophead coupe.
This is one of a series of photos that feature on the site, all showing up-market motor-cars being loaded by British Railways staff into a car train. Shown here is a convertible version of a S3 Bentley Continental, being carefully guided into the car transporter. The presence of scarves, thick coats and hats suggest a winter scene circa 1963. The car is a coachbuilt version of the V8 Bentley Continental, bodied by H.J. Mulliner Park Ward. Although not an official model name, they were generally referred to as the "Chinese Eye" Bentleys, thanks to their slanted twin headlamp arrangement. However in these PC times, this highly-unofficial soubriquet is heard less often than was once the case.
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Power came courtesy of an aluminium V8 engine of 6,230cc, fed by twin SU carburettors and coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox.
In all, four distinct versions of this car were available, all based on the S3. Buyers could choose either a drop-head coupe, or a fixed head coupe, with
both Rolls-Royce and Bentley versions on offer. Early examples didn't feature a flare to the arches, and had flanks uncluttered by ornamentation. Later
cars though had revised arch profiles, and a slim chrome trim running front to back. The S3 Continental shown in the photo is therefore an early example, but sadly the registration number, and therefore the current whereabouts of this car, is not known.
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An earlier S1 Continental, in drophead coupe form, can be seen here.
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Return to Old Car Photos Page No. 8.
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