1965 Bentley S3 Continental by James Young

1965 Bentley S3 Continental by James Young

Chassis number:  BC46XE

Registration Number: EYT835C

In 1965, Rolls-Royce began production of the Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Series models with unitised construction, disc brakes and hydraulic self-levelling suspension. The Silver Cloud III and Bentley S3 models were the last cars produced with separate chassis and body and therefore the last series of cars offered as a chassis for custom coachwork to be added by the likes of Park Ward, Hooper, Mulliner or James Young.

Chassis No BC. 46. XE which is currently offered for sale is one of just seventeen cars produced in right hand drive with coachwork by the most desirable of Coachbuilders, James Young utilising the S3 Continental chassis. It was produced as direct competitor to the H. J. Mulliner styled Flying Spur and was a great success, with its flowing lines and stylish appearance. James Young Coachbuilders were responsible for some of the most attractive bodies ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce or Bentley chassis.

According to the accompanying build records, chassis BC. 46. XE was deliverd on the 6th May 1965 to coachbuilders James Young Ltd. Ready for its first owner, the newly finished James Young bodied S3 Continental was sent to Jack Barclay of London W1 to the order of Mr Rex Makin the lawyer most famously involved with Brian Epstein and The Beatles who is credited for inventing the term “Beatlemania”. He received delivery of the vehicle on the 24th August 1965 under his business E. Rex Makin & Co as verified by the original Rolls-Royce Limited warranty certificate as issued to Mr Rex Makin on delivery.

After a period of just under 3 years the car was sold by Mann Egerton (Sothern) Limited, Wimbledon Motor Works to its next owner a Mr. R Way (Carriers) Limited of Wimbledon SW19 on the 2nd January 1968 as detailed on the used vehicle warranty certificate as included in this car’s wonderful history file.

Mr Way retained the car for a period of 43 years whereby the car was thoroughly well maintained and saw regular maintenance across the exterior, interior and mechanicals with all invoices on file to demonstrate. It is understood that the vehicle covered an estimated 59, 000 miles in Mr Way’s ownership, averaging approx. 1, 370 miles per year. It seems that the car then changed from a business ownership to a private ownership from the point of view of the DVLA’s records as on the 7th February 2007 it was registered as owned by Robert Oliver Way of Redhill, Surrey.

The car’s current and only third owner from new is a Mr Webber who purchased the car in November 2017 from the classic car dealer Alan Carrington who acquired the car at an RM Sotheby’s auction in October 2011.  Mr Webber now an octogenarian has reluctantly decided to part with the car due to the onset of old age.

Understood to be the very last of the 17 James Young bodied S3 Continentals ever built, the car today presents beautifully in its Seychelles Blue Metallic paintwork with Navy Blue leather interior which has held up very well from its replacement as documented in March 1975 as carried out by J. Cooper Coach Trimmers of London at a cost of £748 in 1975. The paintwork has come up beautifully after a professional detail and really needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. The first to see this car with the intention to purchase will indeed buy this car, the history file only lends itself to further sell the car and its wonderful history for the next owner to enjoy.

It is in stock with us now & ready for immediate viewings.