FIRST SERIES The Silver Cloud and S Series were introduced in April 1955, but the coachbuilders only showed their versions at the International Motor Show, held at Earls Court, in October of the same year. Freestone & Webb remained the most


traditional of the English coachbuilders, never abandoning the composite timber/ metal method of construction in favour of the all-metal body frame. The most popular design for the Silver Cloud & S Type chassis was named Design 3206 (or 3199 for the Bentley version), which was a further evolution of those appearing on the Silver Wraith and Silver Dawn chassis. On the new 123-inch wheelbase chassis of the Silver Cloud, this styling achieved perfect proportions. The lack of rear wheel arches, covered by spats, inspired by Hooper designs from the early 1950s, gave these cars their own individuality and elegance. Freestone & Webb stopped building bodies at the beginning of 1958 and was sold to Harold Radford’s coachbuilders in 1963. The huge success of the R Type Continental “fastback”, produced in collaboration with


Left: H J Mulliner produced a very successful drophead coupé derived from Crewe’s standard steel saloon. Above: The Flying Spur was the first four-door saloon offered for the sporty Continental chassis


Bentley, inspired H J Mulliner to offer another version for the S1 Continental chassis as well. The shape of Design no. 7400, also known as “fastback”, was an evolution of the original one launched in 1952. On the new car, the lines were more stretched, losing the roundness of its predecessor, but giving at first sight a greater sensation of speed. The coachbuilder adopted an aluminium extruded frame, which was lighter and stronger. The type of aluminium used was known as Reynolds Metal, so called colloquially because it was similar to that produced by the Reynolds Corporation of


PASSION 039


America. It was made with an alloy of 96 per cent aluminium and the rest of magnesium and silicon, to give more rigidity. The most important news of 1957 was the launch of a four-door body style for the Continental chassis, offered by H J Mulliner. This new Design 7443 was officially known as the Flying Spur, which came from the Scottish family clan crest of the coachbuilder’s Managing Director Harry Johnstone. At Crewe they were Initially reluctant to agree to this new Continental body style, as these chassis were intended for two-door sports saloons


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