Nov 24, 2014
"This car is part of Jay Leno's collection and he states that it was found in Chile and was the British ambassador's car. This is almost certainly incorrect.

My father bought an 8 litre Bentley in 1957-1958 in the UK before shipping it to Peru in 1958. He sold the car in 1962, I believe, to Mr Koehler in Lima, Peru, who shipped and sold the car in New York in 1985, I believe.

I have sent you another email separately, as well.

Nov 24, 2014
"As a follow-up to the earlier message I sent regarding this car's history, I enclose the following email string. I can chase this up further, if you wish, as I shall be in Peru over Christmas and can probably arrange to see Keith Koehler when I'm there."

On Aug 22, 2010, David Lawson wrote to Karen Arras:

Hello Karen,

I saw your post on Jay Leno's Garage 8 Litre Bentley video where you indicated that this car used to belong to your family in Lima, Peru.

If this is the case, then it must be the same car that was previously owned by my father, Jack (John) Lawson, a businessman, who lived in Chaclacayo, Peru. He bought the car in the UK in 1957/58, I believe, and shipped it to Peru shortly thereafter. As a child I remember its astonishingly long bonnet and riding around it it at considerable speed (90 mph +) down the Salisbury plain in the UK. As I recall, the car was a greyish colour when my father bought it but he had it painted in his livery black and white colours in Peru. He also had a 1929 Sedanca de Ville Rolls Royce and a 1914 Merryweather fire engine both of which are now in the Nicolini collection in La Molina, as well as another Merryweather fire engine and a Bristol 401, both of whose whereabouts are now unknown.

I know that my father sold the car to a Peruvian family in the 60s, so I am almost certain that this must be the same car. I have been rummaging through old photos but cannot find one with a clear picture of its registration number.

I would be most grateful to receive any other information you have on this car as I have been wondering for a long time what happened to it.

Many thanks, and best regards,
David Lawson



On Aug 23, 2010, Karen Arras wrote to David Lawson:

Hi David,

I'm on the road and would love to follow up on the history of the car. I just came across some old photos in some family albums. Don't be surprised if you hear from my brother Keith Koehler in Lima who will know much more about the history of the car.

Let's see what we can trace!

Currently, I'm in Boston until mid Oct. Then, back to Costa Rica where I live. I'll be in Lima the first week of Nov. Until then, I won't have access to the photos.

Saludos,
Karen Koehler Arras

Jay Leno's 8 litre Mulliner saloon when he brought it to the Queen's English Concours in Van Nuys, CA on March 14, 2010.

Jay Leno's Chassis no. YX5108 — an HJ Mulliner Saloon. According to Hay in BTVY: "In Peru". Jay Leno says the car was bought in Chile. Obviously a very well preserved 8-litre H.J. Mulliner saloon.

There is a really good video on this car as well — click here to view

'Best Pre War' car RROC Montrey National Meet , August 1991

YX5108 (1931 8 litre) H. J. Mulliner saloon Owner: A. McEwan
"W. O. Bentley described his 6 cylinder cars as having rather a locomotive look about them, and this one certainly does! Sold new in 1932, with a 5-year guarantee, the chassis has 13' wheelbase, and the engine displaces 7983cc with four valves per cylinder. The sump holds 5 imperial gallons (24 U.S. quarts of oil). The coachwork is typical of H.J. Mulliner's best work of the era, with an extremely well-balanced four door saloon body with deliciously curved wings, and it is painted black. The luxurious upholstery is down-filled. The owner drove it round the track at Laguna Seca as well as in the Teamkhana -- just two days before judging. Congratulations are in order for so beautiful and complete a restoration on this gigantic. 'Best Pre-War' car."

"Here is a photo of the 8 Litre Bentley Reg GY 3908 taken about 1961 in Peru while my father John (Jack) Lawson owned it.

Note added wing mirrors — far too dangerous to drive it in Peru without them!"

This car was owned by Jack (John) Lawson, a businessman who lived in Chaclacayo, Peru. He bought the car in the UK in 1957/58. It is believed to have been shipped it to Peru shortly thereafter.