1957 Bentley S1 Continental sports saloon that has been owned by both Sir Elton John and Lord Sugar for sale for a 243% higher sum than it achieved in 2007
Owned by the temper tantrum prone Sir Elton John – a character known for his fondness for visits to the land of olive oil that is Italy – between 1976 and 2001, a 1957 Bentley Continental S1 sports saloon that was next owned by Alan “Call me Lord” Sugar.
Last sold at a Bonhams auction in December 2007 for £144,500 (the equivalent of £181,000 or $226,000 or €213,000 or درهم829,000 today) on behalf of the businessman and reality television personality and registered ‘490 JLC’, the car is now offered for a figure 243% higher at £495,000 ($618,000 or €583,000 or درهم2.3 million) and features coachwork by H. J. Mulliner. It is capable of a top speed of 120 miles per hour, 100 miles per hour achievable in third gear and reaching 50 miles per hour in a little over 9 seconds.
When introduced in 1955, the model was the most expensive car in the world and at that time Autocar described it as: “A modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances and delivers the occupants well-nigh as fresh as when they started”.
Used in the UK for the first nine months of its original owner’s tenure and then in Gambia for just six months thereafter, the automatic, silver coloured car has undergone restorations by both Weybridge Automobiles and P&A Wood. It is now available through The Chelsea Workshop and of it they comment: “It is probably the best for sale today”.
