Looking at getting a 1959 Bentley S1 any advice please.

[Brisvegas]

I've always wanted an old Rolls or Bentley. A 59 Bentley is coming up for auction next February in Sydney (I live in Brisbane - downunder). Anyone on here have one or got any tips on what to look out for when checking it over. Any advice on known issues with this model would be great as well.
http://www.shannons.com.au/pages/auctions/lot.jsp?...
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Tony

Edited by Brisvegas on Friday 27th January 11:08

[Bluebottle911]

I had a '57 S1 Continental for 5 years and loved it. No experience of s/s saloons, but you really need to check everything you can, because anything that is wrong will be expensive to fix. Obviously look for signs of rust, in body and chassis. Make sure all leather is OK and likewise woodwork - no peeling, cracked or faded veneers and ensure all switches & guages work. It may not be possible to test drive it as its up for auction, but you really ought to try it if you can. Check for smooth operation of gearbox (which is a delight to use if in good order) and make sure there is not too much play in the steering. Engine should pull strongly from low revs with no smoke and be smooth as silk. Brakes are very powerful, so if they don't stop like a modern car, there is something wrong - probably oil getting in where it shouldn't.

Having said that, if you find a nice one you will have many years of happy motoring - a good S1 is a joy. Actually any good Bentley is a joy.

[tbid]

Will you be able to test drive it before the auction?

They really have to be driven to see how well the gears change, the condition of the brakes etc.

As a business we've found that many cars that come from AUS/USA look the part but mechanically are rubbish, saying that though we've had some very good examples from the said countries.

[bergxu]

Tony,

As the owner of a '60 Cloud II, I may be able to offer some suggestions;

1. Everything that Bluebottle911 said.

2. As to play in the steering, there is a rubber coupling that, now after 50+ years, will start to get wooly and replacement will require removal of the steering column. My car is going to need this at some point so I'm gearing up for it.

3. The brake system is different from systems on subsequent RR/B models. There's a gearbox-driven servo as part of the system, along with two master cylinders. As parts are expensive, you want to see some bills for brake work at some point in the not-too-distant past. Also, make sure you have a competent specialist to handle future brake repairs, as these systems are easy to screw up.

4. If you are able to drive the car, make sure the suspension is good and 'tight'--meaning the car doesn't wander all over the road or sharply pull one direction or another. Overhauling suspensions isn't cheap either.

5. If the car rides like a rocking horse, the shocks will need attention. These are adjustable (on the rear). First step would be getting them off the car (not hard), re-sealing them and refilling them with Dexron III ATF, which is what we here in The Colonies use in them--and works great.

6. Since the car in question is a '59, it'll be a six cylinder. Those didn't have many issues in the way of oil consumption, as the 6.23 V8s did. Lots of folks prefer the six cylinder cars as they don't feel as nose heavy.

7. Try the HVAC switches, as they can literally seize solid from disuse, not to mention the water taps will do the same.

Good luck, let us know if you get it!

[Brisvegas]

Thanks guys for all the advice. (apologies for the late thanks, been in East Africa on safari for a month, shooting with a camera)I'll be inspecting the car next week in Sydney and I'll certainly be paying attention to the points mentioned in the posts. Hopefully they'll let me test drive it. I'll let you know how things progress.
Thanks again for the pointers.
Cheers Tony.

New link
http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/D7J58645Z0...

Edited by Brisvegas on Friday 27th January 11:08

[bergxu]

Addendum;

I gave you some misinformation re: engine preference. The V8 is actually 30 lbs LIGHTER than the six cylinder is. The nose-heavy remark probably lies in the fact that the weight displacement of the V8 may make the front end *feel* heavier than it actually is by weight.