Bentley S2
| Bentley S2 | |
|---|---|
standard saloon
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bentley Motors (1931) Limited, Crewe, Cheshire |
| Production | 1959–1962 2308 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door saloon 4-door saloon 2-door drophead coupe |
| Related | Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.2 L Bentley V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3124.2 mm (123 in) 3225.8 mm (127 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Bentley S1 |
| Successor | Bentley S3 |
The Bentley S2 is a luxury car produced by Bentley from 1959 until 1962. The successor to the S1, it featured the new Rolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 engine and improved air conditioning made possible by its increased output. Power steering was also standard, and a new dashboard and steering wheel were introduced. Some early S2s were built with the earlier S1 dashboard.
A high-performance S2-derived Continental edition was also produced.
In all, 1,920 standard and long-wheelbase S2 car chassis were built between 1959 and 1962. Almost all were fitted with standard factory bodywork. A number had coachbuilt bodies by Park Ward, Hooper, H. J. Mulliner & Co., and James Young.
Announced at the beginning of October 1959 the S2 replaced the S1's straight-six engine the a new aluminium Rolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 shared with the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. It displaced 6.2 L (6230 cc/380 in³), and offered significantly improved performance.
As advertised in The Times, Friday, 2 October 1959:
The cylinder block and heads are cast in aluminum alloy and hydraulic tappets operate the overhead valves. The engine has a compression ratio of 8 to 1 and is fitted with twin carburetors with automatic choke.
Other features available include fully automatic transmission, power-assisted steering, electrically operated ride control, redesigned and more flexible air conditioning, electric rear window demisters and press button window lifts.
An "S2 Continental" chassis was built with higher performance engines and higher gearing for lighter bodywork.
Bentley S2
standard saloon
rear view
Bentley S2
drophead coupé
by H J Mulliner 1962
...
Wikipedia