Bentley S 1955–1959 car dimensions: 5378 mm long, 1880 mm wide and 1626 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,975 kg.
The cabin has wood veneers, leather upholstery and large analog dials with a counter-clockwise speedometer. It seats five or six on broad soft seats with good rear space and wide-opening doors. A heater is standard. Air conditioning is optional, mainly for warmer markets. Electrically controlled rear dampers adjust via a switch. Power steering is optional from 1956. No electronic driver aids appear in period specs.
The luggage boot is enlarged over the prior R-Type for better touring use. Space is limited to the upper section as the spare tyre, tools and battery sit on the lower deck, making loading awkward for the car's size.
The cabin is a large five- or six-seater space with broad, softly padded leather seats (bench or individual fronts), polished wood veneers, wool carpets and central dials. Soft suspension with electrically controlled rear dampers delivers a quiet, cushioned ride. Heater is fitted. air conditioning appears as an option on some cars. Picnic tables fold from the front seat backs or under the dash. Wide rear doors aid entry. Power steering is optional then later more common.
Fuel tank holds about 18-21 imperial gallons. period tests record 13-16 mpg.
Centralised chassis lubrication system (pedal-operated on S1) with periodic lubrication and adjustment schedules.
Power-assisted drum brakes (hydraulic front, combined hydraulic-mechanical rear via gearbox-driven servo).
Windscreen washers and two-speed wipers standard.
Electrically adjustable rear dampers.
The 4.9-litre straight-six runs on petrol via twin SU carburettors and twin electric pumps. Period road tests quote fuel use around 13.6 to 16.1 mpg with a tank of roughly 80-82 litres, giving a touring range near 250 miles under hard use. Consumption rises sharply in town.
Servicing centres on the centralised chassis lubrication system and regular engine, gearbox and brake checks. Workshop schedules cover lubrication points, valve clearances, filters and the Hydramatic automatic. Specialist knowledge is needed for the aluminium head, liners and complex servo brakes. Deferred maintenance leads to costly corrosion or wear.
Safety kit of the era is the dual-circuit style drum brakes with servo assistance plus improved steering and suspension damping. No formal crash-test ratings exist for the model. Seat belts appear in later service literature but were not original standard equipment. The heavy separate-chassis build and soft ride prioritise isolation over sharp handling.
Keeping the car means specialist parts and labour for body mounts, aluminium panels, leather and timber, plus the total-loss chassis oil system. Well-maintained examples cover high mileages. neglect of cooling, lubrication or brakes produces expensive failures. Storage and regular use both matter.
Length 5378 mm, Width 1880 mm, Height 1626 mm, Wheelbase 3124 mm (S 1955–1959)
Sources: manufacturer data, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_S1, conceptcarz.com, carspector.com and tradeuniquecars.com.au.