"... It was wet all weekend here in Scotland but between showers I took the car out of the garage and took the attached photos..."

July 21, 2010
From: Jamie Stewart (owner of Chassis 1151)
To: VintageBentleys.org

Extract of message:

"The chassis and engine number are recorded on your system under a different registration number (WU 1518) - which we believe to be a cycle - and wondered if you could give us your opinion on this and any further information you may have on the vehicle."

Many thanks.

PS - the first listed owner of this car is:-
JJ Lister, Cantley Lane, Doncaster

~~

July 21, 2010
Hello Jamie and Teresa,

I live in the USA so I am not very familiar with the British registration system but I have been told if a registration number is not kept up to date, it can be assigned to another vehicle. The original number was WU 1518 and there are many Vintage Bentleys that no long have their original numbers.

Going through old BDC 1960-1980 records, I find no use of either registration number on a Vintage Bentley but that is just for the BDC owners. This would be a good question to ask the last owner and the Bentley Drivers Club.

Our readers and I would enjoy seeing some photos and information of Chassis 1151 and if you would be kind enough to forward scans we will put the on the chassis page. Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert McLellan

~~

July 22, 2010
Robert,

Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply to our e-mail. I shall dig out some photos of the car and send them to you.

We are somewhat confused with the registration no. The original "Application for a licence and registration" records the reg. no. WU 1758, chassis no 1151 and engine 1154. - please see attached.

We are aware a registration no. can be reassigned if the number becomes available but with the information we have gathered of the car's history, eg change of ownership and relicencing, the registration is consistent with WU 1758. Might it simply be, by virtue of the two registrations being fairly similar, that WU 1518 has been derived from WU 1758 but misreported?

Any paperwork you might have would be gratefully received and any contacts you are able to give who we could contact to help trace the history of the car would be much appreciated.

Best regards,
Jamie Stewart

~~

July 25, 2010
Hello Jamie,

Mysteries like this make this web site interesting and draw Vintage Bentley enthusiasts into getting involved. I would like to post the original "Application for a license and registration" records on your chassis page along with the photos that you are sending.

I am inclined to think that scrambled numbers is a good possibility. Hopefully we will solve this mystery.

Best regards,
Robert McLellan

Original "Application for a Licence and Registration"

More Info: Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: "10'10" frame, Long chassis pattern strut gear and rear springs, 13/51 axle, remainder of chassis to Speed Model specification. ?Extant 1990?"

*The original registration no. for this car appears to have been misreported as 'WU 1518' in Stanley Sedgwick's All the Pre-War Bentleys, 1976 and later again in Michael Hay's Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997.