On December 2nd, as part of the Bond Street sale, Bonhams auction house is offering a 1959 Bentley S1 Continental Sport Saloon that was formerly owned by British rock star, Sir Elton John.
According to Bonhams, this Bentley S1 is one of only 431 S1 Continentals ever made. H.J. Mulliner did all the styling on the Rocket Man’s Bentley and it’s really a striking looking car. Shortly after Elton John bought it in 1976, the Bentley underwent a full restoration and was outfitted with more modern accoutrements like a stereo system.
Elton John on his Bentley S1:
The most beautiful car, I think, that’s ever been designed.
The Bentley S1 was known as a “modern magic carpet” when it first debuted and was touted as having a top speed of 120 mph. Under its tapered hood is a 4.9-liter inline-6 that was used in both Bentley and Rolls-Royce models. This was back when Bentley and Rolls-Royce were the same company and not owned by two different German automotive conglomerates like they are today.
Originally sold by Elton John in 2001 to Lord Alan Sugar, it’s a wonder why anyone would sell an automotive work of art like the S1 but that’s just the Circle of Life.
Bonhams estimates the Bentley to sell for $530,000-$670,000 so the money in the buyer’s bank account will just be a Candle in the Wind.
The full auction can be found here.
H/T to Carscoops!