Bentley S2 Wendler. The Mercedes-Bentley

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Purchasing classics there

With the arrival of the Silver Cloud / S series in 1955, Rolls-Royce and Bentley standardized working with standard factory bodies, allowing for higher production volume and a better margin. Of course, the factory was still able to accommodate special requests, and a few well-to-do individuals ordered their S-Series and Silver Clouds with custom bodies.

Like Rolls-Royce, Bentley offered the second-generation S-Series in both standard and long-wheelbase versions, most of which received the factory's standard Steel Saloon body. Bentley produced only fifty-seven long-wheelbase S2s, of which only six were retrofitted from outside bodybuilders. The V8 engine, long wheelbase chassis and refined performance make it the most sought after in the S Series.

A unique car, for a unique client

Chassis number LLBA9 is one with a long wheelbase. Equipped from new with this incredible bodywork by Wendler Karrosserie from Germany. For years, the story of this remarkable car was shrouded in mystery.

The origin of its extravagant bodywork and the identity of its first owner has been much speculated. But thanks to the efforts of brand experts and historians, the story is now clear - and no less impressive! Documentation from the Rolls-Royce Foundation shows that chassis LLBA9 was ordered through renowned New York dealer JS Inskip. This left-hand drive car has delivered one of six long-wheelbase S2 chassis to an external body builder, in this case Wendler Karosseriebau from Germany.

Wendler stood for top quality

Wendler had a long tradition of building fascinating and beautiful designs of the highest quality. They made their first bodies in 1919 and soon expanded the business to include bodies for commercial trucks. Their portfolio is really fascinating and includes a lot of very sophisticated streamlined designs on BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even a Ford V8 chassis. Perhaps their most famous relationship was with Porsche, for whom Wendler built quite a few road-going 356s and also created the sleek bodywork for the legendary 550 Spyder, RSK and RS61 race cars

Mercedes said "Nein". Bentley said "Yes, please"

Back to LLBA9: The factory documents are in the name of the anonymous intermediary, Mr. EC Endt. The mystery was compounded when it was revealed that the address on the order form was identical to that of the New York Yacht Club. Brand historians have since shown that the buyer is Mrs. Caroline Ryan Foulke, the fabulously wealthy heiress to the American Tobacco Company. Anonymity was apparently vital to her.

Although the thoroughly unique bodywork she ordered for her Bentley seems to contradict that idea. Before she bought the Bentley, Mrs. Foulke drove a beautiful one-off station wagon based on the Mercedes-Benz 300 d 'Adenauer' built by Binz Karrosserie. When she wanted to replace it with a newer model, Mercedes-Benz Manhattan politely declined her request for a station wagon version of the new W112 300 series, so she turned to Bentley, where they were more than happy to meet her needs.

As an anonymous gift to a museum

After enjoying the car for a while, Ms. Foulke donated the Bentley to a museum (anonymous, of course), where he stayed for some time before being sold abroad. He then returned to New York in the 300s, where, amazingly, he lived for a short time with his Mercedes 2012d Binz estate family member. From 2013-9, LLBAXNUMX, in the hands of its most recent owner, received an extensive competition restoration by the respected Automotive Restorations, Inc. from Stratford, CT.

Back to new condition

The whole has reverted to its original silver gray color over a deep red Connolly interior, as shown on the RROC chassis map. The quality of Wendler's construction is reflected in the precise fit of the body, the beautiful details and the perfect way the doors close. The paintwork is beautiful and the panels are straight and flawlessly aligned. The exterior seems to have come entirely from Mercedes. But the sheet metal is made by hand especially for this car. The Mercedes-Bentley stands on a set of whitewall tires as specified on the build order, and has steel wheels covered with Bentley hubcaps.

Anglo Germanic with American oak

Beautiful Connolly leather, wool carpets and exquisite woodwork define the lavishly furnished living and lounge areas. Wendler cleverly mixed the Bentley controls and instruments into the Mercedes-Benz dashboard. The dials are set in a custom central fascia surrounded with oak finish instead of the typical walnut veneer. The oak trim - a subtle nod to the car's American roots - is repeated on the windshield surround, door tops and cargo area floor.

Original or counterfeit?

Interior handles and switchgear appear to be standard Mercedes items, but many custom items are said to have been made by the bodybuilder to mimic the factory parts. Other features include a sunroof and a Becker Europa stereo appropriate for the time. The beautifully designed interior combines British and German emotions and craftsmanship.

Mechanically in excellent condition, LLBA9 drives as expected from a Bentley S2, but with an even greater sense of solidity.

With an intriguing history, this is an exceptional vehicle that seamlessly blends opulence with practicality. But whether we ever see him in the parking lot at Aldi is the question. There's plenty of room for five passengers and all the luggage they can carry, with the comfort, power and ways to handle a transcontinental journey. The sale of LLBA9 is a one-time opportunity to become perhaps the most distinguished

Price idea $ 375.000

Courtesy of Hyman ltd, 2310 Chaffee Drive, St. Louis, USA

But for the really serious work you obviously need a BX!

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14 comments

  1. A perfect hearse to bury someone who didn't have good taste in their lifetime. A special car from a parallel universe. If the Nazis had packed England, what this might have been the norm for luxury cars. I once had a car 'belonging to the common man' that was so disgusting that it made it beautiful: the Morris Marina. Haha! The students who lived in the same house loved it. They studied criminology… The BENTLEY S2 WENDLER really looks like such a car that you cannot assume that it ever made it beyond the drawing board. I'm going to drink an Irish liqueur, then I will certainly like it.

  2. What a wonderful story again. Thanks Dolf.
    "Why didn't Benz deliver a chassis and send it to Wendler?" I wonder then.

    Ps @Dolf: The cabling of some BXs is located in the back of the sheds on a weld seam, can lead to a short circuit. In your case this will lead to an open air fireplace. Will you be careful?

    Chris

  3. How do I screw up the charm of a Bentley S. If I read that the Mercedes attachment is handcrafted, Wendler could have made something nicer to match the Bentley nose. I don't think it has become a thing of both worlds!

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