The Bentley S1 was unveiled in April 1955.

A very different car from its predecessors, it was longer and wider and based on a much stiffer chassis.

Though the traditional body-on-chassis construction facilitated the manufacture of special-bodied versions, most were delivered with the standard offering produced by Pressed Steel Ltd, featuring alloy doors, bonnet and boot lid.

Powered by the final iteration of the company's venerable 4.9-litre straight six engine featuring revised cylinder-head porting, power was quoted at 178bhp.

As standard, the unit drove through a four-speed automatic gearbox with steering column control.

Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs and employed a leaf-spring mounted live axle at the rear.

Braking was by drums all round.

A total of 3,107 examples were produced between 1955 and 1959.

Despite the popularity of Rolls-Royce's 'standard steel' bodywork, discerning customers continued to patronise the handful of coachbuildi...