Bentley S2 Continental Mulliner coupé restoration: a class of its own

By Ross Alkureishi
Features
 | 18 Nov 2024
Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The old proverb states that, ‘Behind every great man there’s a great woman’ and, while feminists may wonder what she’s still doing back there, in the case of retired hotelier and restaurateur Alan Peck, we might have been writing about another car entirely were it not for his wife Wendy’s gentle guidance.

“I originally fancied a Bentley fastback, an R-type, and we looked at two or three,” explains Peck.

“But she didn’t like the design at the back. Even though it’s a classic, she simply said she wasn’t keen on it.”

And that was that, or at least until he received a phonecall from Paul Brightman at Royce Service and Engineering (RS&E) in Surrey, about an S2 Continental Mulliner coupé.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

All of the Bentley S2 Continental coupé’s brightwork was rechromed during its 3½-year restoration

The Bentley was well known to the company, having been owned by Ryanair – it was run by its founder Tony Ryan.

For numerous years, RS&E had been entrusted with its upkeep, but when Ryan passed away the car became redundant.

“With only 72 made, we knew it was a relatively rare car and so we bought it in 2013, with a view to hanging on to it really,” admits Brightman.

“It wasn’t actually up for sale, but then Alan came along with a desire to acquire either a fastback or an S2, and we got talking…”

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

This Bentley S2 Continental previously belonged to Ryanair founder Tony Ryan

He was provided with the history of the car, including all of the work carried out by RS&E.

“In recent years it had received an engine rebuild, exhaust system, and a front suspension and brake overhaul,” explains Brightman, “but in reality it was a case of keeping it going. Cosmetically it was a bit tatty, and that had never been addressed.”

Peck confirms this, while admitting to being impressed by how the car actually drove: “It still went well.

“The engineering underneath was very good, and one could have used it straight away and had a lot of enjoyment from it, but it was generally looking a little tired.

“There was rust on the sills, glasswork blemishes, the dashboard was faded, and the leather was past its best.”

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

Step inside this restored Bentley S2 Continental coupé

Yet despite its somewhat down-at-heel appearance, it passed the all-important spouse test: “The first time Wendy saw it, she said, ‘Oh, I like that, it’s got a beautiful line to it.’

“It’s nice to think your wife will like it, so I asked how much it’d cost to make it spotless and on the strength of the estimate I bought the car.”

In April 2013, the gentlemen at RS&E started stripping the car of its coachwork, with a view to taking it back to the metal.

It wasn’t deemed necessary to remove the shell from the chassis during the process and a programme including total structural, interior, exterior and coachwork restoration was agreed, as well as the addition of some discreet upgrades.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The choice of leather for the Bentley S2 Continental’s cabin was a source of debate

“The word ‘concours’ never really entered into it,” says Brightman. That would change, however.

Originally a Tudor Grey car, it had later been repainted in Masons Black, a colour that wasn’t shy at showing many of the knocks and bruises it had suffered over the years.

Stripping the alloy body back to bare metal exposed some pretty deep wounds, particularly to the nearside rear wing and petrol cap door area.

“It had been repaired with filler,” remembers Brightman, “and required some serious work in that area – as well as a new petrol cap door.”

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The restored Bentley’s cream Vaumol Connolly hide was fitted by Surrey Trimming

Further investigation of the structure also exposed hidden corrosion: “With an alloy body on a steel chassis, mountings are always an area of potential worry.

“We cut outer panels away to inspect underlying areas and it was worse than we, or Alan, expected it to be.

“It could have been a case of treat it and leave alone, but the decision was made to deal with it comprehensively.”

Due to their intricate design, the sills proved to be particularly challenging.

A steel plate section runs through the length, with aluminium bracketry riveted and bolted to it in sections.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The flowing lines of the Mulliner-bodied Bentley S2 Continental coupé are shown off in profile

“These were separated,” says Brightman, “with new steel and new alloy sections fabricated.

“Then, using protective compound, they were slowly built up again.

“Corrosion in these areas will never be an issue in our lifetime because the protection is now far superior than when it would have left the factory in the first place.”

Repairs to make the rest of the car sound were followed by a huge effort to get the panel fit correct.

When the car was built, the factory worked to very tight tolerances and it was key to ensure these were achieved once more.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The Bentley’s complex sill sections proved tricky, but Royce Service and Engineering relished the challenge

“Again, it was a challenge,” says Brightman. “With the doors stripped out, they’re different weights and you have to take into consideration the weight with everything back on.

“Other factors included a replacement drop-glass, which was a different thickness and weight, plus the modern electric-window mechanisms we fitted to give a smoother and more reliable action.”

Peck estimates that he visited RS&E’s premises every two weeks or so, to check on progress and discuss the next steps: “I remember going with my son Christopher and we were discussing nuts and bolts.

“When we came away, he said, ‘Dad, they’re wrapped up in the car even more than you are.’ I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and that level of precision and dedication appealed.”

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

Offering up the newly fabricated outer sill panels

In employee Richard Simmons, assigned to the S2, he found a kindred spirit.

“Richard has a good eye,” explains Brightman, “and together they would discuss how best to progress.

“Alan’s expectations were high, but as the job progressed he started experiencing that restoration drug.

“Together they were always striving for the next level and suddenly it was being driven forward to standards that were getting to be a potential concours car.

“I explained to Alan that today those requirements are so high, and you’d need to do this and that.”

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

Extensive soundproofing has made the Bentley S2 Continental even quieter

“For example, we weren’t taking the engine out of the car or the body off the chassis, but he was trying to drive us to [achieve] the finish of a vehicle we had done that to,” he continues.

“But with careful progress and some general expertise, one can reach very high standards.”

With the body ready for paint, the project hit a mild stumbling block with multiple viewpoints – Peck, his wife and Brightman – on colour choice.

Numerous tests were carried out, using a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow bonnet, in different colour schemes until they found one that worked.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The new leather used in the Bentley’s cabin is the same type as the original hide

“There was a point when I thought the car should be painted in its original colour,” admits Brightman, “but Alan wanted a model he liked in a colour he liked.

“It’s also very easy to paint a car in a modern colour, so the final choice – a Midnight Blue from the Volkswagen range that has a light metallic content to give it a bit of sparkle, but the richness of a solid blue – involved a little bit of compromise from all involved.”

Calbrook Coachworks in Great Bookham completed the paintwork, with RS&E sourcing the correct factory-finish colouring for refinishing under the bonnet, the bulkhead and engine bay.

With most of the mechanicals in very good working order, attention turned to tidying up the electrical systems.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The Bentley S2 Continental’s owner opted for a top coat from Volkswagen’s modern paint range

A lot of the relays were taken apart, cleaned and overhauled, with any tatty terminals replaced.

Peck also had the period radio uprated with modern internals.

“I was going to do everything 100% authentic,” he recalls.

“I wasn’t going to have air-conditioning, but Christopher said, ‘The only time you’ll use this car will be in the summer, in hot weather,’ and that made up my mind.”

A series of subtle upgrades were incorporated including independently controlled heated seat pads, uprated electric window mechanisms, improved LED lighting in the boot, Dynamat soundproofing and, perhaps most impressive, the air-conditioning itself.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The Bentley S2 Continental’s 6.2-litre V8 engine

“We utilised the rear compartment by bringing in air through the rear shelf,” explains Brightman.

“There’s no need to interfere with the dashboard, and a much more efficient condenser can be fitted in the boot.

“We fitted a special period-looking design of bull’s-eye on the rear shelf with a centre intake that’s no bigger than that of a speaker grille.

“The end result is a supremely discreet system that gives a far superior volume of cold air.”

Original front and rear windscreens were sourced to replace the blemish-ridden originals, and all of the side glass was cut in a green Sundym-type laminate, with a green tint on the rear glass.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The team at RS&E in Surrey added discreet air-conditioning vents to the Bentley S2 Continental’s cabin

Again, a huge amount of time was spent on the fitting.

“A hell of a challenge,” recalls Brightman. “We trial-fitted front and rear items four or five times before we were happy.

“All the window rubbers and door-seal rubbers are no longer available, so the time spent sourcing, making, splitting and splicing rubber sections to achieve the best look, wind noise and water-tightness, can’t be underestimated.”

The cabin woodwork was sent to top restorer Joe Crabtree for renovation, with all the brightwork – apart from two new overriders – going to Derby Plating for rechroming.

Original-style headlamps were sourced, as were rear cathedral lights.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The Bentley S2 Continental spent a long of time off the road, but the end result was worth it

The wheels were powder-coated and fresh rubber was fitted, before the renowned Terry Cramp put his brush on the chromed hubcaps to apply the coachlines.

“With the interior, it’s very easy to fit something that’s too modern,” says Brightman.

“Magnolia leather piped blue was discussed, but it wouldn’t really have suited the car and once again we sat down to consider many options, before settling on a nice cream Vaumol Connolly hide – the original type used in the car – that’s more of a parchment.”

Surrey Trimming was given the task, even finishing the boot compartment to the same quality as the cabin.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

The Bentley S2 Continental’s headlamps are new but to the original style

Final fettling involved sourcing missing items from the tool set, with Bentley Drivers Club member Peck spending several days trawling through the Beaulieu Autojumble with the correct numbers searching for them.

Once sourced, they too were restored.

“In total, the restoration took about 2000 hours over 3½ years,” says Brightman.

The timescale was longer than either specialist or owner anticipated, but the end result is surely worth it.

Elegant and seductive, the much-discussed colour scheme works supremely well.

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

Filling the gaps in the Bentley S2 Continental’s toolkit involved plenty of searching

The cabin is glorious, and thanks to that high-tech soundproofing an already quiet car wafts along in consummate silence.

The modern upgrades are well judged, lending it an extra level of usability – perfect for Peck’s plans for the car: “I shall use it and, all being well, I’ll take it to the south of France next year.

“It’s so smooth and comfortable, with servo brakes, power steering, ride control and automatic gears, yet plenty of luggage space and air conditioning. It’s perfect.

“RS&E has done a marvellous job, and I’ve been very impressed with their workmanship.”

Classic & Sports Car – Bentley S2 Continental restoration: a class of its own

Midnight Blue replaced the Bentley’s factory colour, and it looks magnificent

It’s also garnered plenty of attention since its completion.

“It came back for a Zymol polish and a lot of people have commented on it,” says Brightman.

“Women in particular are very drawn to the car; a chap will come in, and it’s usually the wife who says, ‘Wow, what’s that?’”

That’s a positive reflection of Wendy Peck’s sense of style, RS&E’s workmanship and the choices made by Alan Peck and all concerned.

Images: Tony Baker

This was first in our October 2017 magazine; all information was correct at the date of original publication

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Ross Alkureishi

Ross Alkureishi is a contributor to Classic & Sports Car