1961 Bentley S2 Convertible: British Excellence in model car
This 1:18 scale 1961 Bentley S2 convertible represents one of the British brand's most iconic models. With its magnificent dark green soft top , this Solido model car perfectly captures the timeless elegance of this exceptional grand tourer that marked the 1960s.
This collector's item will delight luxury car enthusiasts and discerning collectors, offering a remarkable level of detail that pays homage to the original. The Bentley S2 remains a benchmark in British automotive luxury today.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Bentley S2 Cabriolet
- Brand: Bentley
- Year: 1961
- Scale: 1/18th
- Color: Dark green hood
- Manufacturer: Solido (reference 8007)
- Protective case included: Yes
The Bentley S2: An Exceptional Grand Tourer
Launched in 1959, the Bentley S2 succeeded the S1 series with significant improvements, including the adoption of the 6.2-litre V8 engine developed jointly with Rolls-Royce. This more powerful and refined powertrain enabled the S2 to deliver performance worthy of its status as a prestigious grand tourer.
The highly sought-after convertible version represented only a small portion of total production. Its elegant design, designed by the most renowned coachbuilders of the time, combines the British tradition of automotive luxury with remarkable technical modernity. The soft top allows for the full enjoyment of open-top driving, a feature prized by a wealthy and demanding clientele.
With only a few hundred units produced in the convertible version, the S2 convertible quickly became an object of desire, both for its exceptional road qualities and for its incomparable interior refinement.
Bentley: The English Art of Living
Founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley, the Bentley brand established itself from the very beginning as a symbol of British automotive excellence. In the early 1960s, when the S2 was created, Bentley underwent a renaissance under the aegis of Rolls-Royce, which acquired the brand in 1931.
This period marked a turning point in Bentley's history, as it gradually abandoned its sporty brand image of the 1920s and 1930s to focus on luxury and refinement. The S2 perfectly illustrates this new philosophy: combining performance and comfort in a setting of leather and precious wood, intended for a wealthy international clientele.
The 1960s saw Bentley consolidate its reputation as a manufacturer of exceptional cars, rivalling the greatest European prestige brands while retaining the very special character of British automotive craftsmanship.
The Anecdote: The Celebrity Car
The Bentley S2 convertible quickly became the car of choice for celebrities and influential figures in the 1960s. Its effortless elegance and relative discretion made it the ideal companion for London social outings and escapades on the French Riviera.
One of the most hilarious anecdotes about the S2 involves a famous British actor who had a special champagne cooling system installed in the trunk of his Bentley convertible. This modification, carried out by the brand's craftsmen themselves, demonstrates the attention paid to the most extravagant desires of its customers.
The S2 was also renowned for its ability to cross Europe in great comfort, becoming the preferred means of transport for long pleasure trips . Several owners organized private rallies between London and Monte Carlo, transforming their Bentleys into veritable rolling palaces equipped with everything necessary for these prestigious journeys.
This particular social dimension of the Bentley S2 convertible makes it today a symbol of this golden era when luxury automobiles rhymed with the art of living and British refinement, values which continue to inspire contemporary collectors.
Complete your Prestige model car Collection
This Bentley S2 naturally finds its place alongside other Bentley model cars to form a cohesive collection dedicated to the British brand. It also harmonizes perfectly with the Rolls-Royce model cars of the same era, illustrating the golden age of British automotive luxury.
Collectors with a passion for convertible model cars will particularly appreciate this piece, which sits perfectly alongside contemporary Jaguar models or Aston Martins from the same period. This Bentley is also an excellent starting point for exploring the world of classic cars from the 1950s to 1979 .
Whether you are a beginner collector or a confirmed expert, this Bentley S2 Solido represents a choice acquisition that will enrich your collection while demonstrating your passion for prestigious automobiles and the history of these exceptional manufacturers that have shaped the global automotive imagination.
