Last updated on May 7, 2024
Today’s car is a 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupe owned by Terry Sullivan that I photographed this car at the Net Cruze Cars and Coffee event held at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum located in El Segundo, CA. The car is finished in velvet green with a luxurious tan leather interior and matching convertible top. It is powered by a 220 hp, 6.2 liter, OHV aluminum-alloy V8 engine, with a SU HD8 carburetor, that is mated GM 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with 3.08 rear axle. Slowing this beauty down are four-wheel servo-assisted 11.7″ drum brakes in all 4-corners. The front suspension an is independent with coils springs. The rear suspension is a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
It has a published top speed of 115 MPH with a 0-60 mph time of 12.2 Seconds. The Bentley S3’s were built from 1962 – 1965 with a total number of 312 units produced, of those 58 were Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupes and of those 26 were left-hand drive. This car is the last 1965 car produced. Being a late production car, it benefited from having the slightly lipped wheel arches and chrome strips on the coachwork, giving it a more attractive appearance than the earlier cars. The S3 coachwork did not lend itself happily to horizontal headlights so they were instead positioned on a slight slant, a design that has commonly become known as the Chinese Eye.
The design of the Bentley S3 Continental epitomized classic elegance with its graceful lines, distinctive grille, and iconic Bentley badge. It captured the essence of automotive luxury in the 1960s and remains a timeless symbol of sophistication to this day. This beautifully restored rare drophead coupe draws a crowd at any Concours d’Elegance, British car shows, Cars and Coffee events or just traveling in style to late Sunday morning brunch at your favorite cafe.
