Documented build · Bentley S3 Continental
Bentley S3 Continental, 1963
Chassis BC66 XA
One car,
documented in full
- Marque
- Bentley
- Model
- S3 Continental
- Year
- 1963
- Chassis
- BC66 XA
- Status
- Completed
A finished restoration, documented on film by a professional crew — the film is below. This is chassis BC66 XA, restored in 2021.
The rebuild took the body back to bare metal, including hand-crafted lower-body panels — this model was coachbuilt, and no replacement panels exist, so the new metal was shaped and fitted by hand rather than bolted on from stock. The panels were blocked back to prepare them to perfection prior to paint. After the five coats of lacquer are applied they are then sanded down through six grades before polishing. The chrome was redone, the interior recolonised throughout, and the hood retrimmed by SM Trimming.
The finished car was showcased at the NEC in 2023.
A second Bentley S3, a different car and a different year, is in the workshop now: see its own record elsewhere in this register, shown alongside the raw metalwork.
Blocking back. Preparing the panel ahead of paint.
Coachbuilt panels. The lower-body sections were shaped by hand — no replacements exist for this model.
Welding. Part of the bare-metal rebuild.
Fitting the front end. Grille and valance back in place after the metalwork.
Block-sanding the bonnet. Ahead of five coats of lacquer.
Masked up. Ahead of five coats of lacquer.
The interior. Recolonised throughout.
The twin-headlamp grille. After the chrome was redone.
Finished. Restored in 2021.
On show at the NEC. 2023.
At the NEC. 2023.
Bring us the car you are not willing to compromise on.
Ask for David Pearce-Martin. He would rather see a car than quote from photographs of one, so the first conversation usually ends with a date to bring it over. Dave, Ellis and Paul are who you will meet when you do.