"Dear Robert, Ref. 8 litre Bentley ch. no. YF5003, UK Reg. no. GN 1869 fitted with Sedanca Deville body by Thrupp and Maberly no. 5330.

I recently came across the above photo of the Bentley in the files of my dear old friend Henry A. Stonor (deceased) which depicts YF 5003 apparently on tour in Dubrovnik in 1937. On the rear of the photo in Henry's own handwriting is "Iain Hilleary standing next to the spare wheel with his 8 litre Bentley".

Knowing Henry so well I cannot imagine he would have been interested in such a photo if the car did not have some close connection with him. At first I thought it might be a family connection possibly an uncle but this proved negative. It has now dawned on me, the other possibility might be that Henry knew Iain's son Ruaraidh, maybe army service in WW2. Henry was commissioned in the Welsh Fusiliers and ended up in Burma.

If you have the contact address of Ruaraidh I would appreciate you forwarding this email to him requesting his comments.

As a matter of further interest, Henry who I first met in Singapore/Malaya in 1956 (together with Paul Gibbs Pancheri) was a keen vintage enthusiast and amongst other cars he had three Bentleys — two 3 litres ch. nos. 890 and AX1665 and a Speed Six ch. no. KK2683.

Best wishes, I really enjoy your website."

Jul 2, 2010 - Chichester, Goodwood Automobilia
An original Bentley Motors Limited photograph of a Bentley 8-Litre Fixed Head Cabriolet de Ville by Thrupp & Maberly Ltd, sepia tone, depicting the car, complete with chauffeur, originally supplied to a Captain F A Pearson, the reverse bearing photographer's and BML stamps with details of body particulars.

(Sold for £23 inc. premium - date??)

This car has been identified as "8 Litre YF5003" by Olle Ljungström. He says "Widely published coachbuilders photo... T&M coachwork is a Sedanca de Ville, not a Cabriolet." — Oct 16, 2008

This car was owned by Iain Hilleary from 1937 to 1938. Ruaraidh Hilleary, his son, wrote to VintageBentleys.org on Jan 4, 2010: "My Father Iain Hilleary had this car before the war and we went from Frankfurt to Heidleburg on the new Autobahn, 50 miles in 1/2 hour. Then over the Grossglockner pass. Sadly sold in favour of a Packard. Big disappointment... The car was bought by the Ambassador to Chile and was broken up as you say... Could we find the old chassis I wonder???? Weight was 2 tons 15 cwt... on a silver plaque on the dashboard."