The original build sheets on file confirm this Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example was ordered by York Motors for GH Martin Ltd on the 20^th April 1965. The car was delivered in tudor grey (ICI.M.151-258) with a fine blue line (pinstripe). The interior was finished with a blue hide (R.3244) with blue piping (R.3244), grey head cloth (R.6517) and ambassador blue carpet (03).

The car’s final inspection was on the 17^th June 1965. It was delivered to Mr George H Martin from Sydney, NSW on the 2^nd September 1965 and registered in NSW as KX782. The car remained with Martin until 1979. The late Mr Theodore (Ted) Berman from Toorak in Melbourne, Victoria purchased the car on the 20^th February 1979 from Rod Lawrence Ford in Campbelltown, south west of Sydney for $15,000,

Berman was a long term owner of this car. The current and only third owner of this Bentley S3 acquired the car from Berman’s estate in September 2017.

There are service records and documentation on file from Martin’s ownership (York Motors) and from Berman’s ownership (McDermotts), which substantiate the mileage of this car as genuine.

Berman used the car sparingly throughout his ownership. A McDermott job card dated 27^th November 1981 noted the mileage as 41,265 miles, another dated 9^th November 1995 notes the mileage as 43,694 miles and another dated 27^th February 2001 notes the mileage as 44,305 miles. The car essentially remained in static storage for many years. There is a Victorian roadworthy certificate on file dated 26^th March 2007 which notes the odometer as 44,767 miles.

It is understood that the car was repainted in its current colour scheme by Berman in the latter years if his ownership.

Today the odometer reads 54,357 miles.

The current owner is a ‘Bentley tragic’ and throughout his period of ownership he has continued to maintain and improve the car.

The most recent maintenance work carried out in October 2024 involved overhauling all the wheel cylinders and replacing the rear shackle bushes.

Over the years, Oldtimer Australia has been fortunate to find new homes for a number of Bentley S-Types and Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds. There is no doubt that this car is one of the very best examples we have had the privilege to offer for sale. It is not a freshly restored concours car, rather a beautifully persevered car that has been well maintained and refreshed from time to time over the years.

Today this Bentley S3 presents exceptionally well. Whilst the car was repainted quite some years ago, it has been done to a very high standard. Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds and Bentley S-Types are very colour sensitive and the colour combination of silver over blue on this car is simply stunning. It suits this car perfectly, giving it a very elegant and sophisticated appearance. The paint work presents in excellent condition with a strong depth of colour and high gloss finish. Defects are hard to find. All of the external trim, glass and the chrome work are in really good condition.

Inside this Bentley S3 is all class. The upholstery is most likely original and it presents beautifully with light patina. The most noticeable wear is to the outside top and bolster of the driver’s seat. The leather has some ‘cracks’, but it is not split or torn. The colour of the seats and door cards perfectly complements the exterior colour scheme and makes the interior of this Bentley S3 just a very nice place to be. All of the woodwork, including the dashboard, is in perfect condition. The same can be said for all the instruments and controls. The carpets were replaced by the current owner and present as new. As you would expect, a car of this caliber has the over mats which are also in excellent condition. This car is fitted with aftermarket air conditioning which works very well, making it a very useable classic all year round in Australia. Whether you are the driver or a passenger being chauffeured around, you’ll feel right at home and very comfortable in this Bentley S3.

Open the bonnet and you’ll find a clean, tidy and well-presented engine bay. Purists will note that the firewall and under bonnet are presented in their correct colour. The boot is similarly well presented and the boot mat is in particularly good condition. In the boot you will find a complete toolkit, a jack, tyre pump, as well as a spare wheel. The most often missing torch is also there and it actually works. All these items are in very good condition.

Whilst we were tempted to have the chauffeur open the rear door so we could sit in the back and read the paper, it was probably most prudent for us to get behind the wheel! On our test drive the car performed as expected. The car starts easily from cold with the assistance of the automatic choke and quickly settles into a smooth idle. Once you’re out on the open road this Bentley just glides along like a magic carpet. The gear changes are smooth and the engine just goes about its business without announcing its presence, as you would expect in a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. The brakes pull the car up effectively and in a straight line. Despite it being almost 60 years old, this car easily keeps up with modern day traffic.

What an absolutely fabulous car!

Highlights:

• An Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example, with matching chassis, engine and body numbers.
• Finished in the most stunning colour combination.
• A beautifully presented car.
• Fitted with aftermarket air conditioning.
• 1 of only 1,286 Bentley S3 saloons built.