1961 Bentley S2 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupe: Delivered New to Wilt Chamberlain and 1 of Only 65 LHD Examples Built
The Bentley S2 Continental offered here is an example of Park Ward's influential and elegant 'straight through wing' body style. It is one of only 125 examples bodied in this fashion by Park Ward; of which only 65 were original left-hand drive cars like this one. Retrimmed in the 2000s to its current Caribbean Blue over Beige leather and matching blue piping. This elegant, hand-built Bentley Continental presents nicely throughout, and remains in its original left-hand drive configuration. Runs and drives but would benefit from servicing prior to use.
BC99LCZ was ordered new in New York by Wilt 'The Stilt' Chamberlain from Rolls-Royce of New York. Copies of the build records state that the Bentley, originally finished in Opal over Off White hides with a Tan top, featured a radio with power aerial, power operated top and windows, Sundym glass, an altimeter, and a "special driver's seat to suit owner" along with 2 inch longer steering column. Purchased in his third season as a professional basketball player, Chamberlain was earning a princely $65,000 a season and by the time this Bentley was delivered on April 19th, 1962 had set a number of records including scoring 100 points in a single game, landing over 4,000 points in the regular season, snagging over 2,000 rebounds, and playing 3,882 minutes of the 3,890 minutes his team was on the floor. Delivered to his 342 Central Park West, New York City apartment with the UK registration plates '685 CGT' with a picture of Chamberlain and his new Bentley on file, the Drophead likely moved West with Wilt when the Philadelphia Warriors for which he played moved to San Francisco for the 1962-3 season. It is not recorded how long Chamberlain kept this Bentley but it would stay in California for the better part of its existence. Reported to have only been in two separate Southern California garages following Chamberlain's ownership. This elegant, celebrity owned Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe would be a pleasurable summer motoring companion and hails from the very end of coach built Bentley motor car production. Coachwork by Park Ward & Co.
Chassis no. BC99LCZ
Engine no. C98BC
Price: $189,500
