1955 Bentley S1
The Bentley S1 (originally simply "Bentley S") was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 until 1959. The S1 was derived from Rolls-Royce's complete redesign of its standard production car after World War II, the Silver Cloud. Each was its maker's last standard production car with an independent chassis. The S-series Bentley was given the Rolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 engine in late 1959 and named the S2. Twin headlamps and a facelift to the front arrived in late 1962, resulting in the S3. In late 1965, the S3 was replaced by the new unitary construction Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow-derived T series.
The car was announced at the end of April 1955, and it was noted that the existing Continental model would continue. The new standard steel saloon replaced the R-type standard steel saloon which had been in production, with modifications, since 1946. It was a more generously sized five- or six-seater saloon, with the body manufactured in pressed steel with stressed skin construction. Doors, bonnet [hood] and luggage locker lid [trunk lid] were of aluminium.
Having a totally new external appearance, although with the traditional radiator grille, the main differences from the R type were:
three inches longer wheelbase
lower build without reducing headroom and with an enlarged luggage boot [trunk]
softer suspension with electrically operated control of rear dampers
lighter steering and improved braking
engine capacity increased to 4887cc, the same size as used in the Bentley Continental
four-speed automatic gearbox was standard, with ability to select individual ratios if desired.