1964 Bentley S3
... for some the Bentley S3 represented astute buying, as the 1964 Bentley S3 was virtually identical to the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III.
While a wholly owned subsidiary of Rolls Royce, Bentley traded under its own name, although its models shared much with its up market stable mate. 1962 saw the introduction of the S3 variant of the factory standard steel saloon and at first glance it would appear that the new S3 was merely an S2 with different headlights.
The Bentley S2 had been introduced in 1959 and came with a V8 engine, power assisted steering and four-speed auto transmission courtesy of Rolls Royce. The twin headlights were the most obvious change in the S3, but there were a number of more subtle modifications. These included the introduction of smaller bumper over riders and the repositioning of the front indicators and side lamps into a single unit on the front wing. The saloon had two-tone paintwork, while the S3 Continental acquired unusual front-end styling and angled headlights.
Mechanically the S3 was equipped with larger 9:1 compression ratio carburettors, improved power steering and a Lucas vacuum advance distributor. The S3 was therefore almost mechanically identical to the S3 Continental produced at the same time.
A Rolls Royce OHV 8-cylinder engine featuring an aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder block and cast iron cylinder liners powered the S3. Fitted with two SU carburetors, it was capable of producing around 200hp. Zero to 60mph took under 11 seconds, while the top speed was 116mph.
The Bentley S3 was a four-door sedan that was produced from 1962 through to 1965, with a total of 1630 models built. There was seating for five, and despite the modifications it was basically a modified and updated version of the S2. Park Ward, H.J. Mulliner and James Young bodied some vehicles, while most received coachwork from the company. A limited number of 32 were created on a long wheelbase, adding to the interior comfort for passengers. Individual seats replaced the interior's split bench seat.
The S3 was the final in the S-series, being replaced by the T-Type, a derivative of the Rolls Royce Shadow.
Specifications: 1964 Bentley S3
Engine: 6230cc V8. Valves - Overhead pushrods and rockers, self-adjusting hydraulic tappets. Cylinder head - aluminium silicon alloy with steel valve seats. Cylinder block - Cast aluminium, with wet cylinder liner of cast iron. Crankshaft - Five main bearings. Camshaft - Cast iron, driven by helical gears. Compression ratio: 9:1. Lubrication - Oil pump with helical displacement gears and integral relief valve. Ignition - 12-volt system, 67A.hr battery. Cooling system - Centrifugal pump mounted in tandem with fan and driven by V-belt. Carburettor - Twin s.d HD8s 2-inch bore, with automatic choke. Petrol system - twin independent electric pumps on right hand side of chassis frame. Capacity- 18 gallon.
Transmission: Four speed and reverse, automatic transmission through epicyclic gears.
Brakes: Mechanical servo assistance. Hydraulic front and combined hydraulic and mechanical at rear. Handbrakes operating on rear wheels.
Chassis lubrication: 21 points to be greased every 12,000 miles.
Suspension: Independent front by unequal length wishbones and coil springs, with opposed piston hydraulic dampers and torsional anti-roll bar. Semi-elliptic rear with electronically controlled piston type dampers and single radius rod.
Steering: Cam and roller, with hydraulic power assistance.
Wheels: 15-inch steel disc on five studs.
Dimensions (Short): LxWxH - 211 x 74.75 x 64-inches. Wheelbase - 123-inch, Track (front/rear) - 58.5/60-inch, Turning circle - 40ft. 8in. Ground clearance - 7 inch.
Source: JUST CARS, August 2010, Collectors Issue #174
