Bentley S1 Continental Fastback

The S1 Continental was Bentley's fastest and most exclusive grand tourer of the mid-1950s, and the HJ Mulliner Fastback is among the most sought-after of the postwar cars. Only 119 of the Design 7400 Fastbacks were built, and just 22 of those were left-hand drive, which makes this one a rarity even within a rare model.

This car was supplied new through Franco Britannic Autos in Paris to Georges Baud, chief chemist at Carven Parfums. It was flown from London to Le Touquet for delivery. The French specification included Marchal headlamps, sidelamps and wipers, air horns and a rear window blind, all fitted from new. The blind is a feature the dealer says it has not seen on another car, and it is still in place.

The car is finished in its original Shell Grey with Tan Vaumol leather, and the page describes the interior as completely original. It stayed in Paris until the late 1990s, when it went to the French singer Florent Pagny. A Swiss collector bought it in 2000 and kept it for 23 years, until the dealer acquired it. It has an automatic gearbox and the 4.9-litre straight-six petrol engine. Price is on application and no mileage is stated.