"I contacted you last August to discuss my plans to re-acquire HT1642, which my father had owned in Melbourne, Australia from 1982 until his death in 2003 (2005?).

I now have the car resting safely in my garage. It is in wonderful preserved condition, and is going and sounding as only a WO can."

1928 VDP 3 litre Red Label Sports Tourer HT1642
"Dark Red over Black, and wonderfully original and intact down to the seat cushions and bonnet panels, with the features of loving care and sporting use over its 88 years. My father, Barry Patten, acquired the car soon after in arrived in Australia around 1982."

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"I have managed to rescue my father's wonderfully intact 3 litre after it was sadly sold after his death almost 20 years ago. I have just bought the car back; yesterday (Oct 30) the deal was completed. I am very grateful to William Madcalf and also Srecko Lorbek in Melbourne for helping this all to come together.

My father lived his full life in Melbourne, enjoying a career as an internationally acclaimed architect of large corporate and public buildings in a minimalist modern aesthetic. He was also an Olympic Downhill ski racer in 1952.

He purchased HT1642 from Melbourne based dealer Robert McDermott in 1982. I understand the car had arrived in Australia a short while before that time, and had been in Adelaide; I can check this with Robert.

My father was a member of the Bentley Drivers Club, and hosted some wonderful events on his historic property at Mangalore, about 60 miles north of Melbourne.

The car required very little work during his possession as it was in excellent original condition, and was well maintained by either Robert McDermott, or, later, by Rod Warrener.

My father died in 2003, aged 75, and very soon after I moved to Oxford for a 2-year stint in my surgical career. Unfortunately the car was sold when my father's estate was sorted out. I was quite disappointed.

Peter Crauford bought the car, and owned it until very recently.

I happened to hear that the car was for sale in a chance conversation in a book shop. A friend introduced me to his friend who just happened to be there with his young son: this man turned out to be a mechanic who had worked in the car named Simon Elliot. Simon runs an excellent restoration business in Melbourne called The Derby Works. Simon mentioned that Peter Crauford was looking to sell the car.

I thought about it for a few days, and decided to look into it further.

As it happened, William Medcalf had come to Melbourne to look at a well preserved 4 1/2 Blower belonging to Jim Nielsen.
William did not buy that car, but did hear that HT1642 was for sale, and having driven out 3 hours to Peter Crauford's farm to look at the car, he bought it with plans to take it back to England.

When I contacted Peter two days later I was horrified to hear that he had just sold the car to William. I contacted William, and a deal was struck for the car to stay in Australia. If the car was ever exported the import taxes would make re-importation a 40% more expensive proposition!

So, after two months of organisation, the car is mine once again: and I am very happy.

I have some other lovely cars from 1950's through to 1990's, but this WO will be the most precious of them all.

Once I have further history and some pictures I will be in touch."

"First outing for Peter Crauford's 3-litre (HT1642) ably driven by his son Hugh."

This car was owned by Barry Patten from 1982 to 2005.

For Sale advertisement, 1975

Red Label 3 litre Bentley (HT1642) 1928 Vanden Plas.
Four seater tourer. Chassis Engine No. HT1642. Highly original condition; looks superb, goes beautifully, but odd spots need tidying to bring it to concours condition, hence price, $23,500. J.A. Edney. 20 Prospect Ave.. London, Ontario 519/679-0312.