1958 Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Droph

PRICE IS FIRM. This is likely the most beautifully restored 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupe extant, with a no-expense spared restoration by Vantage Motorworks. From a fascinating Royal history to a world-class award-winning restoration, this Bentley (Chassis No. BC25LDJ) is like no other. Having accumulated a mere 10,800 miles (17,338 kilometers) from new, this Bentley would be welcome at any major concours event worldwide. This is one of just 31 LHD S1 Continental Drophead Coupes built by Park Ward for worldwide delivery, making this example incredibly rare. These all-aluminum Park Ward DHCs are considered one of the most beautiful and desirable Post-War Bentleys ever produced, and this example is perhaps the best in the world. BC25LDJ was delivered to the Iraqi Royal Family in 1958 to HRH Abd al-Ilah of Hejaz, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq. Within months,the Royal family was overthrown during the 14 July Revolution. Years later, BC25LDJ was acquired by Baghdadi businessman, Omar al-Janabi. Mr. Janabi treasured the Bentley and even had it repainted white to celebrate his sons wedding. In 1992, Mr. Janabi loaned out the Bentley for the filming of the movie King Ghazi , where it caught the eye of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussien. He offered to buy the car from Mr. Janabi, but after several unsuccessful offers, Hussien seized the Bentley for his collection. Hussien repainted the car to two-tone blue and silver. After Hussiens dictatorship fell, angry citizens looted the presidential palaces and destroyed, stole and vandalized the cars within Hussien's collection. Very few cars from the collection survived the Iraq war. Mr. Janabi had been following the Bentleys licensing status over the years and was able to provide ownership records to the US army, proving he was the rightful owner and reclaiming the Bentley. In 2015, Mr. Steve Maman, a Canadian Collector, acquired the Bentley while on a humanitarian mission in Iraq. The Bentley was shipped to Mr. Mamanshome in Canada and was later acquired by Mr. Jim George, a Michigan real estate developer. Mr. George shipped the Bentley to Miami to be restored by the renowned marque specialist, Richard Gorman of Vantage Motorworks. Mr. Gorman completed the 17-month $1.1 million restoration of the Bentley to its original specifications, by the summer of 2017. BC25LDJdebuted at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance and subsequently won Best in Class at the 2018 Concours dElegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan. In August 2022, the Bentley was featured and sold at the RM Sothebys auction in Monterey for $1,875,000 . The restoration of the Bentley spared no expense and is in excellent condition, presenting in nearly perfect concours condition today. BC25LDJ was meticulously restored and returned back to all of its original specifications. The exterior is gorgeous in its original Metallic Silver and complemented with a single Dark Blue pinstripe. The paint condition is excellent in every regard with a deep shine and luster. The Dark Blue Everflex power convertible top appears as new and is complete with a Dark Blue leather convertible top boot. The stainless steel and chrome are in excellent condition. BC25LDJ is spectacular, presenting in concours condition in every regard and shows minimal signs of use or wear. The beautiful interior features Dark Blue Connolly leather that is in excellent showroom condition. Park Wards famous burl walnut and light crossband woodwork is gorgeous and appears perfect. The complementary Light Grey Wilton wool carpet is in excellent condition. During restoration, AC was installed with vents in the rear behind the backseat. All of the instrumentation and original AM radio are in excellent condition. BC25LDJfeatures thevenerable 4.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine with four-speed automatic transmission. The original engine and all systems and components were meticulously rebuilt by Vantage Motorworks during its restoration. The