1962 'Hunt Master' Bentley S2 Continental
Commissioned in 1961 by Lt.Col. Stuart 'Tim' Pitman and his wife Cynthia, this Bentley S2 Continental by James Young was uniquely specified to lead their Cotswold society hunts.
Throughout the 60's and 70's it transported this renowned family and their distinguished guests to numerous country events in the opulence and style that only a coach built Bentley can muster.
Beautifully presented and faithfully maintained by just the Pitman's and one family from new, it is now available for sale on the open market for just the second time in 63 years.
£114,995
Our client would be interested in taking a British sports car in part exchange
Specification highlights
This Bentley S2 was commissioned through Bentley retailers S.P Broughtons & Co. Ltd, of Cheltenham in the June of 1961. It was coach built by James Young Ltd to the exacting specification of society couple Lt.Col. 'Tim' Pitman and his wife Cynthia.
Details
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Registration number
367 XVL
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Recorded mileage
93,715 miles
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Commission number
B3883
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Chassis number
BC.51.CZ
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Engine number
C.50.BC
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Gearbox number
T.4237
Drivetrain
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Rolls Royce/Bentley V8
6230cc
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Twin 'SU carburettors
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Rolls Royce/Bentley automatic gearbox
4 Speed
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Power assisted steering
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'High Speed' rear axle
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'Tubeless' tyres
Body and Interior
- Body Continental by James Young
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Exterior Colour
Velvet green
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Coach lines
Red/gold to flanks and hubcaps
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Leather
Light tan Connolly hide
- Dash and capping's Light burr walnut
- Carpets and over mats Light tan Wilton
Video - Specification and driving
Commissioned for society hunt parties
This Bentley was originally commissioned by Lt Col Stuart ‘Tim’ Pitman and Mrs Cynthia Pitman of Eastcourt House, Mamlesbury who kept her until 1987.
Lt-Col Pitman joined the 2nd Royal Gloucester Hussars regiment which fought along side the 7th Armoured division in North Africa as a part of operation ‘Crusader’. Post war he returned as a director to the family publishing company ‘Pitman’, his grandfather, Isaac, having invented and developed ‘Pitman Shorthand’
Mrs Cynthia Pitman, nee Miller was born at Shotover Park in Oxfordshire, Her brother Sir John Miller was an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II. Cynthia Pitman was a lifelong hunt follower who was still riding to hounds in her mid-eighties, always at the head of the field and 'undaunted by weather or terrain'.
This Bentley was commissioned as the 'lead vehicle' delivering the family to society hunts across the Cotswolds. A similarly specified 'Shooting Break' bringing up the rear with the riding equipment and supplies. It is not only beautifully painted in the Lt-Col's regimental colours, but also uniquely specified with Cynthia to provide comfort and practicality. It is a unique example of post-war British Hunting Society.
The Bentley S2 Continental by James Young
As with Bentley's that came before, in the 1960's you had almost unlimited choice when ordering your vehicle. The 'Continental' was Bentley's sporting saloon and could either be bodied at the factory, essentially their standard offering, or the chassis could be delivered to your choice of coach builder. In this case James Young, who would not only offer bespoke coachwork but a range of options limited only to the owners imagination. When complete, it was the ultimate expression of wealth and good taste for a family that was imbedded in post war British society.
Within the exhaustive history files are hundreds of pages of documentation, ranging from letters between the Pitman's, S.P. Broughton, James Young and Bentley through to build sheets, invoices and technical drawings. Even today, with modern manufacturing techniques, and instant communication it is mind boggling that a car can be designed, tailored and executed in a matter of months. To think that this was drawn and handcrafted with all of the details painstakingly documented by typed letter is simply incredible.
Over and on top of the chassis specification there are 51 sub-orders documented, some before the build, and others as the Pitman's checked in on the development of the car. These included practical additions such as safety belts made by the Irvin Parachute Company and a second fuel gauge mounted by the fuel filler cap (so the pump attendant could monitor how much fuel had been delivered with out bothering the family inside) through to the softness and adjustability of the seats inside.
Orders and sub-orders
- Electrically operated windows
- Drivers window switch at rear of panel
- Warning light for bulb failure
- Separate switch to control radio light
- Front seat surround to be 'softer'
- Parking lights on door pillars
- Rubber over mats
- Exterior locks on both front doors
- 3 master keys
- Green Perspex sun visors
- Adjustable front arm rests
- Irvin safety straps
- Rear picnic tables with offset mirrors
- Dash mounted table and ashtray
- Radio 'mute' switch
- Luggage straps
- Double mat in boot
- Rubber pad in fuel filler area
- Fuel filler mounted petrol gauge
- Rear mounted speaker
- Rouched rear door pockets
- Independent fog light switches
- Rear demister and dash switch
- Electric aerial
- Complete 'hunting' over mat and door protector kit
- Flashers on time switch
- Lower rear seat swab by 2 inches
- Foam rubber under headlining
- Oxidised finish dash switches
- Leather covered switch gear
- 'Zero distortion' front screen
- Press 'flash headlight' button
- Muting switch for hi-power horn
- Handbrake warning light
- Roll pad extension
- 3/8 lip on instrument facia board
- Boot light on independent switch
- Pull handles to front doors
- GB Plate in chrome
- Grab handles on back of front seats
- Drivers mirror with sliding cover
- Grab handle on p/side moved 1 inch
- Boot carpet with handles
- Fire extinguisher
- Main beam warning light - cherry red
- Trafficator switch to be moved
- Green 'follow lights' on rear of car
- Seat runner extension on front seats so Mrs Pitman could reach the pedals.
Body and coach work
Remaining in its original colour scheme of velvet green with red and gold pin-stripes the Pitman's 'Hunt Master' Bentley S2 Continental was the subject of an extensive and well documented 'bare metal' respray in 1990 by RW Sprigg motor Bodies of Bidford-on-Avon. Sparingly used since the car presents today in excellent condition, with paint and brightwork worthy of its coach built routes. The doors close like a safe, with all rubbers, trim, glass and lights in fabulous condition.
Interior
No matter how elegant the James Young coachwork is, it is the interior of this S2 that steals the show. Hand-crafted from exquisite leather, walnut and metal, every part screams of luxury and attention to detail. During the 1990 restoration of the vehicle the interior was faithfully re-trimmed to the same exacting standards that James Young Ltd undertook when it was new. The work was carried out by Gary H Write Coach trimming at a cost of over £11,000. Today, it remains in wonderful condition, with 34 years of patina, still smelling of high quality hide. The wood trim, dial knobs and levers that control all those added options are still present and in fine working order.
Running Gear and Chassis
There is an over used expression when dealers are describing service history of historic cars, but in this case it is very true. There is a complete, documented service and maintenance history that accompanies this car. It details the work carried out by supplying Bentley dealer S.P Broughton and a who's-who of Bentley Specialists between 1963 and 1988 when ownership passed to its second custodian.
There is a detailed engine rebuild in 1990 and then a further file containing its history and MOT's to date. The engine fires with the merest flick of a key and settles down to a barely audible tick over. On the road it produces a steady wall of torque changing through the 4-speed automatic gearbox happily cruising with the fastest drivers on the motorway. Recently back from a tour around Scotland and serviced up to date.
In addition to the engine rebuild, there was also a comprehensive chassis restoration carried out by specialists Clarke & Carter Ltd . At a cost of £36,000 it included every moving component, bush and suspension part in the vehicle. Low mileage and comprehensive servicing since means it remains in fine mechanical condition.
Service Record
As has been alluded to through out the write up on this magnificent vehicle the service record, is, in our experience unrivalled. The complete 60 plus years of its existence, from initial drawing through to the last pound spent on maintaining it are present. Bound in 10 volumes they also include full parts and maintenance books, service books, technical notes, Bentley and Rolls Royce owners club valuations and correspondence. The current owner informs us that they spent over a week, just collating the information in order. We can well believe it!
