1958 S1, Radford Countryman.

Roger Brotton · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:25 pm Post subject: 1958 S1, Radford Countryman.

Recently joined the BDC having bought this car for restoration. The car has been ''doing the rounds'' for years, thus is full of rust, chicken wire and filler., but it has survived. !
Where can I find a copy of Radfords optional extras for these cars ? ? Then I can make a list of what is missing, from the cocktail cabinets and door cupboards etc. (everything, at the moment !)
Presumably, somewhere , there will be a build specification sheet for this Bentley......how do I go about tracing it, please..?
Any assistance, much appreciated.

James O'Neil · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:52 pm Post subject:

According to information I have seen, Harold Radford only did one conversion of an S-Series, chassis number B236AN. I have seen what is probably this car described as an "Ascot", it was being offered by a dealer in Halifax around 10 or 12 years ago. There were RR SC Harold Radford conversions, with a 38 optional fittings liste. I shall see if I have any further information that might be of interest.

Regard, James,

Roger Brotton · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 1:22 pm Post subject:

Thank you James, I should have given more details......
Chassis number is B294FA, Engine...BF 147
Registration number TYY 175
First registered 28/01/1958

James O'Neil · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 1:33 pm Post subject:

This is worth having a look at - even if you are not inclined to buy it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harold-Radford-Original-Silver-Dawn-Brochure-EXTREMELY-RARE-/182469055933?hash=item2a7c00d5bd:g:dH4AAOSwo4pYcXQ7

I'm pretty sure your car is the one I mentioned, I have seen it advertised a couple of times over the period since it was in Halifax. You are taking on quite a challenge!

If you don't already know about it, the website KDA132.com is well worth a look.

James

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 2:57 pm Post subject:

Harold Radford carried out his conversions on 37 Bentley S1 cars and 35 on the R-R SC1.
Also 4 on Safari Town and Country Cars.
For a full list including the 35 priced extras, read Complete Classics No 8, by David Bassoli, and Bernard King "Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 1& Bentley S1", pp 365 on.

Are you Roger Brotton of 3.4, "De Tomaso" etc?

Roger Brotton · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:59 pm Post subject:

Very interesting research so far...thank you.
From day 1, back in 1958, my car seems to have dropped off the planet, as the club has no history of it.

Yes, Three Point Four is my business, specialising in DeTomaso cars......so no strangers to dealing with rust! The occasional Maserati too, and they are just as bad,...but it keeps us busy !

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:41 pm Post subject:

Shell grey/steel blue, first owner BAL Ltd, must be Building Adhesives Ltd, and that is all.

Buy the book Roger, or turn up to Dodworth and have a squint of mine.

Roger Brotton · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 7:50 pm Post subject:

Many thanks Christopher, I will certainly look forward to a visit to Dodworth...a complete car will be well worth looking at !
Birdwell to Dodworth.......I could nearly walk it..!
I will also be on the lookout for the books.

Roger Brotton · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:47 am Post subject:

Thanks to all so far, for the info. Mr Bodfish from the BDC was also very helpful. Bought the book, as recommended by all. Now, all I have to do is rebuild the car.

With so many S1's, and also later cars, I'm surprised the forum isn't busier ?

Or is it me who is digitally challenged and looking in the wrong places ??

Al Coutts · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:27 pm Post subject:

I, too, am surprised that this forum is so quiet!

I find myself checking it every day for golden nuggets of useful info!

James O'Neil · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:32 pm Post subject:

Beware of iron pyrites!

James

Roger Brotton · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:46 pm Post subject:

James, too late for iron pirates, where there used to be rust, there is now fresh air and/or filler. Photos to follow one day, if I ever figure out how to post them on here. Clues anybody ?

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:25 pm Post subject:

If I can do it so can you, and I am no intertechy.

Chose file ie documents or pictures
Click on item.
Send.
Standard.

Apart from a few in the past chewing the cud, it has never been much of a get together, there a now very few with hands on, or really much interest apart from the "Proper Bentley,s".

I have seen far to much destructive rust and neglect, never again.

Roger Brotton · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:05 pm Post subject:

Bringing an interesting automobile back from the dead has always been my main motivation, and I've been doing it professionaly for the last 30 years...and many years of DIY before then... and still enjoy it. What interested me about this S1 was the connection with Radfords, thus a bit querky and more rare than standard. Visions of a touring holiday in Spain in the autumn soon evaporated, but I didn't tell the lady wife, which autumn ! So, I'm off the hook on that one. She viewed the Bentley in bits for the first time this week, and its been a quiet in the house ever since !

What constitutes a 'proper' Bentley ? One that actually drives up the road without leaving a trail of iron oxide behind it ?

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:05 pm Post subject:

I have far far far and far too much experience of bringing corpses and other Lazarus, back from the dead.

Mrs Brotton is probably thinking "silly b----r", and "I did want a new kitchen and a cruise a dog"!

Did your parents live in Pogmoor in the late 90,s?

Roger Brotton · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:30 pm Post subject:

That would be Jimmy Brotton, a relative from my great grandfather. They used to live in Monk Bretton, then later moved to Pogmoor. I think they had a son and a daughter, but I know not of them. Did you know them ? I traced our family history back to 1820's, but too many rusty cars now to follow that line back any further.! .....maybe when I'm older and even more grey (or silver, as my American friends call it).

Roger Brotton · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:40 am Post subject:

Christopher, .....Back in the late '60's early '70's, there used to be a guy in Pogmoor that had a 3 or 4 litre '30's open top Bentley. Lived in the Warner Avenue area. Regularly showed the car at Lock Park, Cawthorne etc. Did you know of him ? Can't imagine that he is around any more....I guess he would have been in his sixties even back then.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:59 am Post subject:

It was a 3 litre tourer type jointly owned by a guy called Ewart (Ewen) Copley
and someone else who he would,nt reveal the identity of.
It was really worn with a porous cylinder block and he had a major "hydraulic-king" of the cylinders during a Lakeland trip that wrecked the engine, but that is over 10 years ago now.
There is at least one 3 litre in the vicinity but I can,t track it down and he aint in the club, a friend in Ecclesfield has a super 3./ 4 1 /2 in his collection along with a Lagonda LG45 Rapide, AH 100/4 etc and two of the best presented Derby,s that I have ever seen,etc etc, but they do huge dinners and have a pack of dogs, neither of which I can stand. It is a big rack of axle greased prime lamb every time, UGH!

Roger Brotton · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 12:30 pm Post subject:

As promised, just a few photos, but not for those of a nervous disposition.
Bodyshell is being stripped out, then we'll make a frame, and lift the shell off the chassis.
As with the cobblers new shoes, ready next Thursday !

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:30 pm Post subject:

"But don,t tell em which Thursday".

Paul Spencer · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:59 pm Post subject:

Judging by the stain on the garage floor, another Bentley S1 Incontinental!

I'm impressed that you are already thinking of the cocktail cabinets.

Roger Brotton · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:09 am Post subject:

Paul...Amazed that Rolls Royce built such a car, leaving no provision to carry a drip-tray. I'm sure, leaving an oily calling card on his lordships driveway would not be appreciated at all.

Never mind the drinks cabinets, with this much rust, I have already made a good start on the contents !.