British classic electrification and restoration specialist Lunaz has revealed a its latest project: the world’s first electrified Bentley Continental S1 by James Young, created to mark the 70th anniversary of the model’s debut in 1955.
Only 13 S1s were originally bodied by the celebrated London coachbuilder James Young, and this example – the sole car to undergo electrification – has been completely reimagined by Lunaz’s Silverstone-based team. More than 5000 hours of work went into its bare-metal, nut-and-bolt restoration.
As expected, the Continental’s six-cylinder engine has been replaced with Lunaz’s proprietary electric powertrain. The transformation preserves the car’s composure and refinement while allowing near-silent touring – a fitting evolution of Bentley’s original ‘silent sports car’ ethos.
The interior reflects close collaboration between Lunaz’s designers and the car’s owner. It’s fitted with a cognac and Tiffany blue interior, detailed with orange and blue double-welt piping, provides a contemporary counterpoint to the Continental’s understated form. Traditional satin-finished woods are paired with discreetly integrated modern features including climate control, heated seats, USB charging ports, proximity cameras and an in-house engineered retractable touchscreen.
Presented privately earlier this year at Jack Barclay Bentley in Mayfair, the car’s unveiling was accompanied by the presentation of a pair of bespoke shoes created from the Bentley’s original leather.
‘Marking 70 years of the Bentley Continental S1, this creation represents the essence of Lunaz – respect for heritage, devotion to craft and the vision to carry icons into a new era,’ said David Lorenz, founder of Lunaz.
