Thoughts on this 1965 Bentley S3

[graeme36s]

Whilst trawling through various web sites looking at mk2 Jaguars I stumbled across this S3 Bentley. I know looks can be decieving and a proper inspection would be a must. Any thoughts on what they are really like to live with ?. It would be used occasionally, kept in a heated and dehumidified garage with optimate attached to battery. I fancy something very british and nostalgic that still is a lovely drive.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1965-BENTLEY-S3_W0QQitemZ300...

Edited by graeme36s on Sunday 5th April 18:49

[KingRichard]

Hang on, I had a thread running about old Bentleys a while back. I'll dig the link out for you.

I've just emailed bosscerbera too, as I think he knows a bit about the S3.

Cheers

[bosscerbera]

Afternoon...

Your list of requirements is perfectly met by an S3. Mine's a '64.

[graeme36s]

A link to the original thread would be much appreciated David. Looking at your list of toys Phil our tastes are not to discimilar. So an S3 with a Harvey Bailey suspension kit should drive quite well. My partner has owned a shadow 11 for some 20 years and as standard it is just too soft. My next problem is that my other half thinks I have lost the plot and suggests I go see a shrink. This is the tricky one. My mind set at the moment is that it is getting harder and harder to enjoy our toys (hence sale of my 993 GT2) and I would like to own something that is as satisfying to drive but at a far more leisurely pace. Much like a few years back when I thought about buying another superbike. Bought a Harley instead and was quite happy to cruise along with a stupid grin on my face.

[KingRichard]

I can't find it at the moment. Will look later on though I promise

[bosscerbera]

graeme36s said:

A link to the original thread would be much appreciated David. Looking at your list of toys Phil our tastes are not to discimilar. So an S3 with a Harvey Bailey suspension kit should drive quite well. My partner has owned a shadow 11 for some 20 years and as standard it is just too soft. My next problem is that my other half thinks I have lost the plot and suggests I go see a shrink. This is the tricky one. My mind set at the moment is that it is getting harder and harder to enjoy our toys (hence sale of my 993 GT2) and I would like to own something that is as satisfying to drive but at a far more leisurely pace. Much like a few years back when I thought about buying another superbike. Bought a Harley instead and was quite happy to cruise along with a stupid grin on my face.

I've always viewed this body shape as 'the last proper Rolls/Bentley'. When I was a kid, I used to distinguish them as 'the ones with a boot like a bread bin'!

The one I bought was the one I viewed first and it happened to be the nearest one, being sold by a Rolls/Bentley specialist that several friends have always spoken highly of: Hillier Hill in Olney. As soon as I saw and drove it, I knew there was no point even looking at the other one I'd shortlisted from trawling the ads. Mine has a history file about eight inches thick, including the first bill of sale, photos of its restoration some years ago and loads of interesting correspondence.

The last owner of many years was a lawyer who had a number of useful modernisations fitted (very discreetly, and fully documented). It's these features (climate control, electronic ignition, remote central locking, modern ICE with MiniDisc jukebox and remote and much else) that make the car a lot easier to live with. These days we kind of take for granted central locking - I can imagine it irritating me having to walk round checking the doors otherwise! From a driving point of view, the suspension and steering box have been tweaked so it handles/rides very nicely indeed on radials - and the way it sits is spot on. It's no sports car, but it doesn't have to be. It will cruise at 100+ if that's what I want to do - it certainly won't hold anybody up on a motorway. But it's gently wafting around that's so nice, good for the soul I reckon.

A bit like supercars, it's impossible to really know what it's like to own one until you do. It's great fun and I am certain the other half will eat her words!

[cardigankid]

I claim no specialist knowledge of these at all. All I would say is that looks bloody fantastic, and as was just said, there is a very special sensation to be had from just wafting around within the speed limits being made to feel unassailably superior.

I would guess this car would do that for you.

[KingRichard]

Just found my old thread. Sure there is another one somewhere that had more technical info on it. I'll keep looking

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=555...

[dinkel]

In terms of inside space 'n pace: how do they compare to a Jag X / 420?


Snap by a8hex.

Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 8th April 12:26

[KingRichard]

I LOVE those...

Gotta be in the right colour though - Maroon or Dark Blue, possibly gunmetal... what car DOESN'T look good in gunmetal?

[dinkel]

Any post-80s F-car.

[KingRichard]

dinkel said:

Any post-80s F-car.

Yep, I agree... shocking! Such bad taste

[a8hex]

dinkel said:

In terms of inside space 'n pace: how do they compare to a Jag X / 420?

Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 8th April 12:26

I thought we'd covered this on Sunday
Look I know it's confusing but

Mk X became the 420G
A 420 is a different car, a 420 is based on an S-Type but with the MkX/420G style square front.
This was introduced to plug the obvious gap in Jaguar's saloon product line up. Mk2, S-Type, 420 then 420G.

This one is the Daimler version of the 420 - I think.

[dinkel]

OMG sorry, my slip: of course I meant 420G.

So, how does a 420G compares to the S3 Daimler in terms of inside space and pace. With the 4.2 installed it must be equally 'quick'. As for the Yank market it's huge inside as in the S3.

[bosscerbera]

dinkel said:

OMG sorry, my slip: of course I meant 420G.

So, how does a 420G compares to the S3 Daimler in terms of inside space and pace. With the 4.2 installed it must be equally 'quick'. As for the Yank market it's huge inside as in the S3.

You mean how does the 420G compare to the S3 Bentley?

420G is faster, bigger inside - and MUCH wider. 420G probably still holds the title of widest British production car - I love 'em.

[KingRichard]

bosscerbera said:

dinkel said:

OMG sorry, my slip: of course I meant 420G.

So, how does a 420G compares to the S3 Daimler in terms of inside space and pace. With the 4.2 installed it must be equally 'quick'. As for the Yank market it's huge inside as in the S3.

You mean how does the 420G compare to the S3 Bentley?

420G is faster, bigger inside - and MUCH wider. 420G probably still holds the title of widest British production car - I love 'em.

Have you had one Phil?

Edited To Add: You probably bought one new

Edited by KingRichard on Wednesday 8th April 15:09

[bosscerbera]

KingRichard said:

bosscerbera said:

dinkel said:

OMG sorry, my slip: of course I meant 420G.

So, how does a 420G compares to the S3 Daimler in terms of inside space and pace. With the 4.2 installed it must be equally 'quick'. As for the Yank market it's huge inside as in the S3.

You mean how does the 420G compare to the S3 Bentley?

420G is faster, bigger inside - and MUCH wider. 420G probably still holds the title of widest British production car - I love 'em.

Have you had one Phil?

Edited To Add: You probably bought one new

LOL, no. Cheeky bleeder.

I worked on one when I was a kid; it belonged to a prominent Hells Angel. It was dark blue with blacked out windows and all interior (and some exterior) chrome gold-plated. Fantastic car, I've sniffed around a couple over the years with a view to buying and used to want to 'rod' one with a bi-turbo V12.

[KingRichard]

bosscerbera said:

KingRichard said:

bosscerbera said:

dinkel said:

OMG sorry, my slip: of course I meant 420G.

So, how does a 420G compares to the S3 Daimler in terms of inside space and pace. With the 4.2 installed it must be equally 'quick'. As for the Yank market it's huge inside as in the S3.

You mean how does the 420G compare to the S3 Bentley?

420G is faster, bigger inside - and MUCH wider. 420G probably still holds the title of widest British production car - I love 'em.

Have you had one Phil?

Edited To Add: You probably bought one new

LOL, no. Cheeky bleeder.

I worked on one when I was a kid; it belonged to a prominent Hells Angel. It was dark blue with blacked out windows and all interior (and some exterior) chrome gold-plated. Fantastic car, I've sniffed around a couple over the years with a view to buying and used to want to 'rod' one with a bi-turbo V12.

I'm just thinking of one with XJR Running gear and a supercharger upgrade, reckon it would look nice on a set of 18's with big brakes too

Hmmm, and in the last week I've been offered a crusty low mileage X300 XJR

And I wonder how much a 420G would be these days? :worried:

[dinkel]

15 - 20K for a minter I guess . . . bigger than the Bent, my dear God.

[bosscerbera]

KingRichard said:

Hmmm, and in the last week I've been offered a crusty low mileage X300 XJR

And there lies the problem with Jags.... own a used one and people think you collect scrap.