SOLVED: Djetset #373 - 1963 McLeod Bentley S3 by F.L.M. Panelcraft

[Djetset]

I fear this may be a re-post, but I couldn't find it on a search.  If it is, I shall change the image, but if it's not, full details of what this is please to gain a point.

[Allemano]

Do you want our community to collect money for a new camera?

[Djetset]

That would be very kind, thanks.     

I actually took this with my new Blackberry, and wasn't expecting it to come out so big!  Resizing is not easy on my laptop, but if any generous soul would like to reduce the image on my behalf, I would be very grateful.  Thanks.

[Allemano]

Give me 5 minutes!

[Allemano]

Done!
Contended?

[Djetset]

Thank you Allemano, you are a Gentleman (assuming you're not a lady!).

[Allemano]

I'm neither a Gentlemen nor a lady, but can't stand that my screen is yet too small...

[Djetset]

Well thanks anyway 

[Hubert]

Bentley, circa 1965.

[Djetset]

You are on the right track Hurbert, but can you tell me any more (like who the coachwork is by?).

[yves]

Hooper ?

[Djetset]

No, not Hooper.

[Djetset]

Up to the Experts.

[CyCarConsulting]

Looks like some kind of 50's Bentley mulliner park ward fastback.

[Djetset]

You've got the Bentley part right, but sadly not the others.

[yves]

James Young ?

[Djetset]

No.

[Amsterdam]

1964 FLM Panelcraft rebuilt Bentley Continental S3 with Park Ward-bodywork??

[Djetset]

Sorry, but not the information I have.

[Amsterdam]

Hmm..... to bad. thought this came pretty close

[Djetset]

Hmm, I must say your photographic evidence looks pretty convincing.  I have this car under another name though, which seems to be how this Bentley is commonly known as.  Any ideas?  Locked to you until for the next 24 hours.

[Amsterdam]

This is what I found


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Bentley S3 Continental, #BC38XC

The last car was not bodied by H.J. Mulliner but in conjunction with F.L.M. Panelcraft, it was a 1964 Bentley S3 Continental, #BC38XC.

From the photos of this car it becomes clear beyond doubt that an existing H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Fixed Head Coupé body to "Koren-Design" (sometimes described as "Chinese Headlamps") had been subject to major alterations.
A large perspex sunroof had been fitted, though a fixed one with no opening mechanism. The front of the car was almost unaltered with the exception of overriders to Harold Radford design, i.e. with rubber insets at the top. The rear however was with minimal overhang and surprised with a fastback design of rear light and tailgate whereas the rear wings were styled almost like fins.

[Djetset]

Good information.  It was made like this for a reason though.  Do you know why, or who it was built for?  It remains locked to you.

[Amsterdam]

It was built specially for Australian-born engineer R.G. McLeod

During wartime he was supervising engineering of tools for aircraft-production and became Captain. He died in November 1986 aged 94. About bodies for motor cars he had very strict ideas. He preferred a saloon body to open motoring but insisted that as much vision should be there as offered by an open body. The car had to be as short as possible; if there was luggage it could be thrown on to the back seat - hence no need to carry the wasted space of luggage compartment, which most of the time was empty. For him a car had to be functional "one wheel at each corner", not particularly elegant.
Design number 2015/f
In this instance, truncating the coachwork has given it a distinct BMC 1100 air ...

[Djetset]

It was the McLeod information that I was looking for, so well done, you get the point.