This 1961 Bentley S2 Saloon is a beautifully restored, luxury British import that is loaded with options and exudes elegance! Based upon Bentley's own advertising materials, its cars were intended to attract "a distinctly different type of driver" from its sister company Rolls Royce. With history dating back to the early 1900s, Bentley Motors was founded in 1919 by Walter Owen "W.O." Bentley, a former engineer with a passion for building fast, durable cars capable of competing with the world's best. Born from a vision to create "a fast car, a good car, the best in its class," the first Bentleys quickly gained a reputation for their engineering excellence and racing prowess. However, despite its success on the track, Bentley struggled financially during the Great Depression. In 1931, the company was forced into liquidation and was acquired by Rolls-Royce Ltd., who sought to eliminate a competitor and repurpose Bentley as a luxury performance marque. Under Rolls-Royce ownership, Bentley cars gradually shifted from the raw, racing-oriented character of the W.O. era to more refined, coachbuilt grand tourers. After the merger, Rolls-Royce's influence was apparent in the Bentley marque with the resulting cars resembling Rolls-Royce in terms of luxury and comfort but also, Bentley was seen as having a bit more performance and keeping somewhat with its early racing-inspired roots. By the end of the 1950s and into the early 1960s, Bentley's distinctiveness had further blurred with Rolls-Royce, as models began sharing shared chassis and bodywork with their Rolls counterparts. Still, Bentley's reputation for understated performance and refined engineering endured, laying the groundwork for its future revival. Making its debut in the fall of 1959, the Bentley S2 series saw a major step up in performance in large part thanks to the addition of a cast-aluminum V8 that was seen as a great improvement over the previous generation's inline 6 engines. The S2 looked like Rolls-Royce but with the added V8 drove much more akin to a British sports car than say a grand tourer that Rolls is famous for. These cars were also particularly luxurious, equipped with automatic transmissions as well as power steering, something not seen in virtually every American-built car in the era. In total, it is believed that only 1,865 S2 models were produced from 1959 through 1962, which makes this particular S2 Saloon quite a rare piece. Further adding to its rarity is the fact that it is also a left-hand drive model, meaning it was built to be driven on American (as opposed to UK) roadways. This particular Bentley S2 comes to us from an east coast collection where it spent nearly the past 25 years being cared for and stewarded. Powering this '61 Bentley is a cast aluminum 6.2 Liter V8 engine fed by a pair of SU single-barrel carburetors that together were estimated to have produced 220 horsepower when new. The 6.2L Bentley V8 is mated to a 4 speed Automatic Transmission that makes for a comfortable and enjoyable car to drive. Exhaust exits this Bentley's cast aluminum power plant via a single exhaust setup that makes for nearly silent operation. Since this 1961 Series II Bentley is once of the most luxurious automobiles of the era, it should be no surprise that it comes loaded with creature comforts! With power steering, maneuvering this nearly 4,500 pound cruiser in and out of a tight parking space at the local car show or ice cream parlor is almost effortless, easily accomplished while holding your ice cream cone in one hand and turning the steering wheel with the other. You'll be able to say cool even on the hottest summer days since this Bentley S2 Saloon comes equipped with Air Conditioning as well! Riding on a set of upgraded radial tires mounted on painted steel wheels that are accented with gorgeous full wheel covers, this 1961 Bentley has a great look and even better ride. The gorgeous European body of this Bentley has been refinished in beautiful Oxford Dark Blue paint that completes the elegant exterior look of this wonderful British luxury car. The lush interior in this 1961 Bentley S2 Saloon is particularly luxurious! The front and rear seats are equipped with beautiful Robin Blue leather and make for an extremely comfortable ride for both the driver and the passengers in this classic Bentley. The matching Robin blue carpeting, armrests, and door panels are in wonderful shape as well. The wooden accents throughout the interior of this '61 Bentley Saloon further add to the upscale look and feel inside this luxurious car, and can be found capping each door panel, integrated into the dash, as well as on the front seat backs and rear tray tables. Additionally, all 4 power windows go up and down with ease all with the flick of a switch. While driving this Bentley, you'll have all of the relevant information at your fingertips with a full array of Smith instrumentation including a 120 MPH speedometer, amp gauge, temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, and fuel gauge. The burl grained dash is finished off with a locking glovebox, Smith clock, push-button AM radio, along with various other controls. Whether you're adding to an existing British collection or you're buying your very first classic car, this 1961 Bentley S2 Saloon would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!