The Bentley S3 is a four-door luxury car produced by Bentley from late 1962 until 1965, as the successor of the Bentley S2.
Description
The S3 was first announced and displayed at the Paris Motor Show in October 1962. The car was very similar to the preceding S2, with the most-visible exterior difference being a four-headlamp layout reflecting that introduced on the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III the same model year. The radiator was lowered 1½ inches allowing a lower bonnet line, and other exterior differences included restyled front mudguards and smaller over-riders on the bumpers front and rear. The interior was modified with individual seats for front passengers and a rear seat moved two inches rearward for increased leg room. The 6.2 L (6230 cc/380 cu in) V8 engine continued with higher compression (9:1 instead of 8:1) and larger carburettors, increasing power output by 7%. The engine upgrades brought improved acceleration and a top speed of 115 mph with no loss of economy; for the American market an engine "breather" was employed to reduce air pollution. The power steering was also improved.
The S3 was priced at £6,126, over triple the British-built top of the range Jaguar Mark X at £2,022 (including all taxes).[1] The Park Ward Continental sports saloon was £8,495, a premium of about 40% over an S3.