1950s Bentley R-Types and S1s?

The cheaper cars will mostly be right hand drive and not air conditioned.

 

And they are very expensive to restore interiors to original spec...

 

i dont know about bentley, but my father has 3 old rolls royces, a silver cloud III, a silver cloud I, and a silver Wraith all total probably purchased for around 100-120K....the silver cloud III has been at bentley houston for 8 months he told me a few weeks back. Something broke and they have not been able to source a part for it and I believe they are custom making something. These cars are good and like you said give a big impression for little money, but the brakes on the rolls were always failing and it was a 3-4K fix everytime. I remember bc my mom keeps getting mad at my dad for spending that money fixing those things. The engine never fails though, that is one thing you can't say about rolls royces, the engine is always top notch, the wraith he has is at 160K+ miles with no problems. So if you dont mid waiting for parts and whatnot I say go for it theyre fun, but forget the bentley buy the rolls its the real deal, put it this way theres a few S1's on ebay from time to time converted to a silver cloud with the rolls royce emblems. Nobody ever converts a silver cloud to a bentley....EVER. Haha good luck, hell if you need one of the three I mentioned and you live near houston I could definately arrange for you to come have a look, my mother would love for my father to get rid of some of them.

 

Love those old cars. I think it would be sweet to drive around in one. Nice avatar btw

 

In that price range, you'll have difficulty finding one that is in need of nothing.

Also, parts and repairs are very expensive. Look at my screen name, and then ask me how I know!

I've known a number of people that bought them on the cheap, and then had to sell them when repairs were needed.

I've been a member of the RROC for years, and have seen many people come and go, usually because their car/s needed repairs they couldn't afford.

 

If you know someone good with metal, the parts shouldn't be too expensive to make. You will however, lose the "original" status of the car. Personally, I would go for it.

 

An early 60s V8 car can be very reliable if driven often believe it or not. The silver cloud 2 series cars were built very well using thick grade steel and heavy duty mechanical parts. The wiring was run pretty well and normal maintenance is quite easy. Look for power steering leaks as the racks are a wear item. Good under dash aftermarket a/c kits are available and install cleanly. Try to find a car with good wood as that can be the most expensive part of a cosmetic restoration. Most had several coats of lacquer and will rub out nicely. The leather interior can be done for $5-6k complete , so thats not terrible.

 

I don't know which SC II's you're referring too??!!

Yes, and they were still prone to body cancer.

They didn't have rack and pinion steering??!!

They came with factory air.

They all had several coats of lacquer on the wood. The biggest problems are the lacquer is gone, the lacquer is cracked or the wood is shot. All the rubbing in the world won't solve these problems!

Not in Connolly Leather if you can find it, nor any other leather for that price. I've seen some have it redone in Naugahyde(still expensive for a complete redo), but that ruins the essence of the Rolls Royce mystique!

If you don't do it right, don't do it at all!!

I think your familiarity with the SCII may be somewhat clouded.

Also, I noticed in your profile, that your 'Wanted Car' is a 1959-1963 Rolls Flying Spur. DUDE, Flying Spurs didn't come out until much later than that!!

Don't give advice about matters you know nothing about.

At this point, I believe your entire profile is a fraud!

 

Hey Mr Knowitall. I was refering to the lacquer paint being easy to rub out. The wood obviously cannot once it is cracked, which is why I suggested looking for a car with good wood. Many early Sc2s (mine included) did not have factory air . Maybe I phrased the steering leak issue incorrectly, but I have had much steering work done on my car through the years. I have owned the 61 HJ mulliner DHC for many years and have found no rust at all. It was repainted manyyears ago and held up very well. My car was a left hand drive car delivered new in France to a famous artist in 1962. It was used as a daily driver for the first few years of our ownership in the 90s and was very reliable. Once we started to consider the car a collectible , thats when the reliability went away. Also the Flying spur I am looking for is a Bentley. Anyways if you would like to disprove my profile have at it.I can easily provide any details of my owned(or desired) vehicles easily, how about you? I think you may want to provide a profile of yourself if you wish to have any credibility here at all.

 

What was it about the brakes that were failing?

The early fifties cars were pretty simple mechanically weren't they? I have often daydreamed about one with a stick, six cylinders and crank windows. They even had solid front axles didn't they? How simple can you get?

Of course I actually know nothing about them. The above is my sum total.

Tom W

 

You don't have to get hostile!

There were discrepancies in your original post that stood out, and I addressed them.

Yes, Bentley had the Flying Spur in those years, and RR didn't until the 90's.

So.....what in my response was wrong, and why would you call me 'Mr Knowitall'; because I tripped you up on some detailed statements you made. Some people can't stand to admit their mistakes!

And I wasn't trying to be a 'Knowitall' as you said; it's amazing how some people can become so belligerent when called to task!

The best thing to do is to accept knowledge, and not condemn one for passing it on.

As far as profiles, they're absolutely ludicrous and meaningless. Lies are lies my friend, and so easy to fabricate in this type of forum.

Myself, I like my privacy and want to keep it that way.

I hold no animosity my friend, I merely wanted to correct some mistakes you made in your original post.

 

DaRolls, Thanks for correcting my post. I just don't like you challenging my profile information. Maybe I should update it and add a Buggati Royale and Mercedes 540k, then I would see the doubt. Just trying to spread my love for the old Crewe built cars. I also do own a 2003 Arnage T and a 1985 Camargue convertible onversion.

 

No problem Adam, thanks for your response.

I made a mistake too, in thinking you were in want of a RR Flying Spur. I guess I just assumed, and you know what that makes me!

You have my apology, if you thought me to be overly harsh with you.

Now.....back to our regular programing.

P.S. Everyone should own at least one PMC in their lifetime.

 

My dentist had a S1 Bentley for a while, and I got to drive it a time or two. My lasting impression was the steering wheel with the skinny, skinny rim. You couldn't get a grip on it at all!

 

Most Brits have small hands and short legs.

 

My 1961 Bentley S2, no AC, RHD, imported from GB in early '70s one owner since then still has GB plates and never driven on the street in USA...only on an industrial estate! NO rot, runs strong, minor small things to take care of periodically; had to get to heater core to recore...20 hours for a couple $hundred job ...geez, but other than that, all has been well. Personally I dont mind no AC (one less system to worry about...my Brooklands LWB freezes me out anyway) or RHD (I had MGTF in GB in '70s and drive there alot anyway)...and got it at a price taking RHD into account...think it has a fun character...plus easier to pass a small jar of Grey Poupon to other drivers from the right hand side...very cool and fun addition to my stable...people just give a big smile when they see the car...
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very nice! it's in spectacular condition given the age, most of the mid 80's rollers i've looked at haven't looked as good as this one, what's the drive like compared to the other bentley's/rr's you own(ed)?

 

Of the R-types, I love the Continental Saloon and Fastback.
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STOPPPPP ITTTTT!!!


Only other RR/B of my experience is my 1994 Brooklands Long Wheel Base...completely different and wonderful animal, but still feel a heritage link. The Brooklands is just a great car with unbelievable presence, just MOVES but has a surprising degreee of handling and control. I love it. With the S2 you get into a different state of mind...doesnt handle like the B'lands but a decent amount of pickup but I baby it some. I took it up to my mechanic 130 miles away and just had a nice stroll out. I am replacing the bias ply tires with wide white walls to stay with period..they are by Diamondback. It's (well, both are) just a great car to go out for a picnic...there is a neat French country restaurant about 60 miles away...perfect for an afternoon trip eating, looking for antiques type of car...very cool...a lotta bang for the $ but like F cars, you need to take care of 'um...Bentleys have a lot of cool vibe....I drove up to a restaurant a couple of weeks ago and went in...ran into a friend who says "was that you driving up in that Rolls Royce?" I replied "NOOO...it's a Bentley...I'd never have a Rolls Royce....TOO ostentatious.!" He laughed a good one as did I !! HAHAHA

 

Now that's a Bentley! I'm a Ferrari guy, but the Continental R is one car I wound't mind seeing in my garage. Beautiful.

Steve

 

My cousin is considering purchasing a '59-'62 SCII saloon as a daily driver. He's willing to spend in the 40-50k range. Is he crazy? I mean, I too am absolutely in love with the style and beauty of the car, but is a Silver Cloud II a realistic daily driver? He lives on an island off the coast of South Carolina where it's very humid year-round. There is a local British fellow, former Crewe-trained mechanic, with whom the car would be serviced regularly. The mechanic works exclusively on older British cars, with specialty in Rolls/Bentley/Jaguar. What are thoughts on this idea?
He wants the SC2 over the SC1 for the engine, the 6.23L aluminium V8 instead of the 4.9L straight 6. The SC3s lose a little something with the redesign in our opinions. I'm first-hand familiar with the Modern cars, but I don't have much first-hand experience or knowledge of cars older than say an '80s Corniche.
Darolls or Tiara4300, I'm especially interested in your ideas.

 

IMO having drivern many,buy a V8 car the latter the better,I've owned 2 x Bentley S3 Continental's "Flying Spurs' great cars.

 

factory air cond was a option and there is such a car as a Rolls Royce "Flying Spur" starting in the Silver Cloud 111 model.