A rare example of the 1961 Bentley S2 Continental will be the next classic to get the all-electric treatment from Lunaz.
Lunaz has announced only one example will be converted from its original 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine to feature an electric motor.
Founder David Lorenz described the car as one-of-a-kind, and says the project will demonstrate the company’s proven ‘upcycling’ process and technology.
The restoration will take place in-house at Silverstone in the UK, where Lunaz will replace the current powertrain with its own fully-electric setup.
The powertrain will make 298kW of power and 718Nm of torque, good for a 100km/h sprint around the seven second mark.
Other updates to the steering, suspension, and electronics will be installed on the car in line with modern safety standards.
The suspension has been upgraded to a fully adjustable coil-spring setup, which can be configured electronically from the cabin.
Between 1959 and 1961, independent coach builders worked to customise the cabin of this particular car to the customer’s exact specifications.
This specific S2 Continental was originally commissioned with a four-door body, but research from Lunaz shows London coach builder James Young at the last minute changed it to reflect the present two-door form.
Delivered in 1961, the vehicle changed hands for the first time in 1967 before having various owners across the world, including Germany and Japan, eventually returning to the UK.
Only a handful of the S2 Continentals are still left in the world.
Between 1959 and 1962 the standard and long wheelbase S2 represented more than 80 per cent of the cars Bentley produced. It made 1863 SWB and 57 LWB versions of the S2 Continental during that three-year run.
It’s unclear if this S2 will be sold after completion, or if someone has already purchased the vehicle.
Pricing for the rare Bentley also has not been released.
To begin the upcycling process for a luxury car, the Lunaz team starts with a detailed inspection and assessment to determine the chassis, powertrain, and suspension configuration. In-house engineers use 3D scanning to construct a detailed computer aided design (CAD) to determine the renovation and reconstruction required.
From there the car will be stripped down to its bare metal shell to begin the restoration process.
Lunaz aims to restore and recycle as many of the original materials as possible.
Lunaz headquarters in Silverstone employs over 100 engineers, craftspeople, and restoration specialists to work through its various projects.
Re-engineering projects undertaken include electrified versions of the Aston Martin DB6 and DB5, Rolls-Royce Phantom and Cloud, Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150, and the S1, S2 and S3 Bentley Continental.
“This magnificent Bentley S2 Continental was already an exceptional motor car, as one of just a few examples of its type that remain in the world,” Mr Lorenz said.
Founded in 2018 by David Lorenz and named after his daughter Luna, Lunaz has attracted investors including David Beckham.
David Lorenz’s vision is for new generations of enthusiasts to be able to enjoy classic cars, particularly in markets where societal attitudes and legislative requirements are making classic car ownership harder than before.
“For Luna, my daughter, not to have access to a car like the Mercedes-Benz 190SL when she is of driving age would be a tragedy. Without building Lunaz, this is the reality she faces,” says Lorenz.
