That's how they roll; car enthusiasts visit Mildura
By Damien Hooper

Around ten Bentleys all produced in the 1920s and 1930s have been on the road from Western Australia making their way back to Melbourne, and this weekend their resting place was Mildura.

Graeme Miller pulls on his black leather driving gloves and insists they're not just for show, but help him get a better grip on the steering wheel of his green 1930 Bentley. Graeme seems to know more about the prestigious motor vehicle than most people and in particular his pride and joy of which he is only the third owner.

"It's one of two cars which the Western Australian police force purchased in 1930 for use as patrol cars and they ran them from 1930 until 1946," he says. As the car rumbles along the main street of Mildura, Graeme explains with some disgust at how other vehicles of the same era out-performed the Bentley, but according to Graeme, weren't built as well.

For Graeme the connection with his car lies in maintenance and making sure the car is running at its optimum. "You have to keep working on them all the time, so I've had the engine out of this car at least twice over the last 32 years," says Mr Miller.

Graeme says he doesn't believe he could part with his old friend even if the day did come when he had to hand over the keys of his beloved vehicle.

"I don't think I would. My wife has told me that if I go before her, she's hanging on to it," he says. "It's more than just the aesthetic appreciation "you have to treat it as you do any piece of machinery, it must be maintained, there's no point expecting to flog it and do nothing to maintain it."

Another of the car enthusiasts is Phil Schudmak, the proud owner of a 1924 Bentley. When questioned about perception of Bentley owners Mr Schudmak responded by saying it didn't say much "about me, except that we're all a bit eccentric." Phil insists "they're still a good fun, strong and quality car," even though the youngest of the touring cars is 81 years old.

Australian Police Speed Sixes, 2012

Ex Western Australian Police Force, chassis LR2785
Graeme Miller, owner of Chassis No. LR2785, talks about the special history of his 1930 vintage Bentley and its erstwhile role in keeping law and order in Australia. "This was one of two cars delivered new to the Western Australian Police Force in chassis form only", says Graeme Miller. It was used by the Force from late 1930 to 1946.

Listen to interview: (Graeme Miller in conversation with Cherie McDonald of ABC Rural)

Historic Winton, 2009

This Speed Six was originally a police car. Chassis no. LR2785 is now owned by G.M. Miller, Victoria, Australia.

Phillip Island Historic Racing, 2007

Photographs of this 6½ Litre were taken March 26, 2006, in Kallorama, Australia.

This car participated in the BDC Rally in the Barossa Valley 2002.

Bentley 3 Litre 6.5 Litre in Festival of Transport, Documentary, 1996

"Definitely not a 3L, looks like a 6.5L" — Chris Card, Mar 29, 2013

"Surely a Six-and-a-half litre or a Speed Six?" — Tom Berthon, Nov 10, 2012

Australian police cars. Chassis no. LR2785 is the car on right.