As is often the case amongst our members, my first Bentley was a 3-litre. More years ago than I care to recollect, I was enabled to pay the then vast sum of 49 gns. to Rowland Smith by the fortuitous occurrence of obtaining three winners at Alexandra Park. Having had 1/- e.w. cross doubles on the three in question, I netted nearly £20 for an outlay of 6/- With this bag of gold fallen into my lap, I set off with the idea of buying a Salmson, Amilcar or similar small vehicle, but on seeing the Bentley, at the then very reasonable price, I could not resist it. The brake linings were new and Rowland Smith, free, gratis and for nothing, replated the battery. It was a long chassis car with the single Smith carburettor. The carpets were perfect, the hood excellent, a complete set of good side curtains, upholstery of red leather in fine condition and the body itself, made by Freestone & Webb, rigid and firm as were the wings. She was not beautiful and had a maximum of about 71 m.p.h., but I had endless enjoyment by being her proud owner. These were the days before I ventured to Bentley Motors or High Priest "Mac" and I myself did what I could on the car with the able help of one, Charlie Nuttall (who did the restoration of Black Bess the Bugatti for Col. Giles). Charlie certainly knew where to get things done on the cheap and I remember with nostalgia such costs as 32 teeth welded on the flywheel at the price of 6d, per tooth, two M.L. magnetos completely overhauled for 30/-, etc.  Continued...