Description
The S3 variant of the Continental was introduced in 1962 and like its predecessor was offered in varied configurations of alloy bodywork. H.J. Mulliner’s four-door Sports Saloon model was carried over from the S2 along with the “Flying Spur” nickname, although construction was handled at Park Ward’s London facilities in the wake of the two coachbuilders’ 1961 merger. Styling updates included a lowered grille profile, quad headlights, and turn signals positioned at the front of each fender. This…
The S3 variant of the Continental was introduced in 1962 and like its predecessor was offered in varied configurations of alloy bodywork. H.J. Mulliner’s four-door Sports Saloon model was carried over from the S2 along with the “Flying Spur” nickname, although construction was handled at Park Ward’s London facilities in the wake of the two coachbuilders’ 1961 merger. Styling updates included a lowered grille profile, quad headlights, and turn signals positioned at the front of each fender. This example was originally finished in Antelope Grey and is said to have been repainted in its current shade of Tudor Grey during the refurbishment performed by Vantage Motorworks several years ago.
Body-color 15” steel wheels wear bright hubcaps and beauty rings and are wrapped in BFGoodrich wide-whitewall tires that were mounted in August 2022. Stopping is handled by hydraulic drum brakes with twin master cylinders, duplex actuation at the front wheels, hydromechanical actuation at the rear, and assistance from a gearbox-driven friction-type servo. Replacement master cylinders and hoses were installed in 2022. Power steering was standard on the S3 and incorporated a revised design to allow lighter input at low speeds.
The cabin is trimmed in beige leather over the front bucket seats, rear bench, and door panels with color-matched carpeting over the floors and lower door panels. Features include dual-grain wood door caps, power windows, air conditioning with outlet vents above the rear seats, and a Radiomobile push-button radio, the latter of which does not work.
The three-spoke steering wheel is situated at the left-hand side of a dual-grain wood dash panel that houses Smiths instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel level, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows 33k miles, less than 50 of which have been added under current ownership.
The 6.2-Liter OHV V8 features aluminum construction, cast-iron cylinder liners, aluminum pistons, overhead valves, and dual SU carburetors. A 2022 service by Automotive Restorations included an inspection and addressing of needs including rebuilds of the carburetors, fluid changes, and replacement of the spark plugs and battery.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a column-shifted four-speed automatic transmission. The independent front suspension incorporates coil springs and lever-arm shock absorbers, while the leaf-sprung rear axle is equipped with electrically adjustable lever-arm shocks.
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