Bentley S3 Continental
| Bentley S3 | |
|---|---|
S3 saloon
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bentley Motors (1931) Limited, Crewe, Cheshire |
| Production | 1962–1965 1286 S3 saloon 32 long wheelbase S3 chassis 311 Continental chassis |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | separate chassis |
| Related | (with modified engine, transmission and different ultra-light coachbuilt body) Bentley S3 Continental, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.2 L Bentley V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic transmission |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,124.2 mm (123.00 in) (LWB) 3,225.8 mm (127.00 in) |
| Length | 5,384.8 mm (212.00 in) |
| Width | 1,898.65 mm (74 3⁄4 in) |
| Height | 1,631.95 mm (64 1⁄4 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,918 kg (4,228 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Bentley S2 |
| Successor | Bentley T1 |
The Bentley S3 is a four-door luxury car produced by Bentley from late 1962 until 1965.
The S3 was very similar to the S2, with the most-visible exterior difference being a four-headlamp layout reflecting that introduced on the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III the same model year. The interior was modified with individual seats for front passengers and increased leg room in the rear. The 6.2 L (6230 cc/380 in³) V8 engine continued with minor modifications. The power steering was also improved.
(Continental below)
The S3 was first announced and displayed at the Paris Motor Show October 1962.
Exterior
Interior
S3 saloon 1964
S3 saloon 1964
Operating
In 1959, Rolls-Royce acquired H. J. Mulliner & Co., coachbuilders (HJM). In 1961, HJM was merged with Park Ward, which had been in the possession of Rolls-Royce since 1939, to form Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd. (MPW). When production of the S3 Continentals commenced there were more differences than the adaption of the previous HJM design by Mulliner Park Ward: The cars were built at the former Park Ward premises in Willesden, North London. The HJM facilities were abandoned.
The S3 Continental was strictly coachbuilt. Most bodies were of the altered HJM style, available in fixed head or drop head coupe form. Of the 328 coachbuilt S3 (Continentals included here), nearly 100 were by MPW. Again, fixed head or a drop head coupe configurations were available. The most prominent visual difference from the S2 configuration was the four canted headlights.
For the first time, this body was offered on the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, as well as the S3 chassis. The final S3 was delivered in 1966, when the new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-series were readily available. Like earlier Continentals, the sportier S3 bodywork was manufactured entirely from aluminum, unlike the heavier, steel bodied S3 saloon. This, combined with higher gearing and the better compression ratios made for a markedly faster car. Four-doored Continentals bodied by H. J. Mulliner were known as the "Flying Spur", although four-door Continentals by other coachbuilders are sometimes erroneously referred to as "Flying Spurs" as well; the term only correctly refers to Mulliner's versions. Another elegant four-door saloon for the S3 Continental came from James Young).
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Wikipedia