BDC Concours, 2013

Bryan & Roberta Downes — the couple in above photograph — were owners of Chassis no. 180 from 1978 to 1980.

"This picture was taken on our very first trip to France with our restored 3 Litre Vintage Bentley PM 1923 in 1980. The occasion was the BDC Tour to Le Mans and Aubuson to celebrate fifty years since the last Bentley win at Le Mans in 1930. After Le Mans we continued on a Midland Region extension Tour to La Rochelle and the west coast of France. The Bentley ran faultlessly. Later that year (1980) we decided to sell the 3 litre Bentley after aquiring our current 4.5 litre Vintage Bentley from Dr Hummel."

"Above are pictures taken during the restoration and show the chassis and engine etc. The build specification was as follows: 10' 10'' chassis; 3 litre engine with single overhead camshaft, four valves and twin spark plugs for each cylinder, twin SU "Sloper" carburetters, two ML magnetos; "A" type gearbox; 3.79 rear axle ratio."

In 1978 Bryan and Roberta Downes acquired their first 3 Litre Vintage Bentley PM 1923 (also their very first vintage car), Chassis number 180, Engine number 180. First registered in 1923 with the registration number PM 1923, the car had lain unused for many years by the previous owner Mr Felton at Kemberton Mill in Shropshire and required a complete re-build. This was carried out during the next 2 years by Bryan in their home workshop.

The photo above shows the car as it was when acquired, fitted with Connaught body.