For Bentley and Rolls-Royce, the star of the 1959 London Motor Show was their first all alloy V8 engine in both the Bentley S2 and its cousin, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II.

The engine produced approximately 200 bhp (Bentley and Rolls-Royce would never quote horsepower figures, preferring to state that it was adequate) and, by virtue of its alloy construction, weighed the same as the 4.8-litre six-cylinder engine it replaced.

The result was a smoother, more powerful ride.

Bentley also offered the S2 in the elegant ""Continental"", the highest specification of the chassis.

Although quite similar to the standard S2, the Continentals featured upgraded brakes and a higher rear axle ratio to handle the more demanding requirements for high speed cruising on the European continent, with its more modern motorways.

Continentals were consistently faster, quieter and more comfortable than standard production cars.

Most Bentley S2s carried factory ""Standard Steel Saloon"" coachwork, which...