Prince Michael of Kent in India

Benjafield’s Racing Club spent four years in the concerted planning of 'The Great India Rally 2009' — Jan 13-24, 2009. Seven vintage Bentleys took part in the rally (or was it eight?), spanning nearly the entire range of vintage Bentley models — 3 Speed Sixes, two 4½ litres, one 3 litre (the oldest car in the rally) and one 8 litre model. In addition to 17 Benjafield’s Racing Club members and their friends and family, the Club had Prince Michael of Kent as their Patron and fellow Rally driver.

The Club wanted its participating members to experience a country "unparalleled in sensory and visual experience". Indeed the promise was well kept — the route was carefully chosen... each day was exhilaratingly different... each part a new unexpected obstacle... The Rally was flagged off in New Delhi on Jan 13, 2009 and ended in Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) on Jan 24, 2009. It passed through Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad weaving in and out of a series of adventures.

Get the whole story at Benjafield's here   ::   View over 3000 photos here

Also view these amazing India Rally photos by Peter Godehardt.

James (Jim) Pearce is an artist. Before he ever became involved with coachbuilding he had been a stone engraver — several architectural works in and around London bear his mark. Later he worked as a flight mechanic on Spitfires and Lancasters for the RAF. The sum total is a man with a fine head for precision engineering and the hands of a deft and sensitive artist... Jim's association with vintage Bentleys began in 1956. And when he married one year later he decided that he must own one. The coachbuilding business wove itself into his life most naturally in the following years. Here is the story up to year 1994.    Read article here.

David & James Pearce

"James E. Pearce" is a family owned-and-run coachbuilding business which was started in London in the late 1950s by Jim Pearce. The business expanded over the years as its reputation for knowledge and quality of work spread... Today, with a world-wide customer base, there are regular car imports for renovation/conservation from the U.S.A. and Europe. Restoration work undertaken by the company has won awards at major Concours D'elegances in the Bentley 3, 4 1/2, 6 1/2 and 8 litre classes.

David Pearce, having worked closely with his father Jim in the business for over thirty years, took over the ownership and running of the company in February 2000. This has allowed Jim to retire, although he continues to provide valued consultancy. Know more

This car has often evoked shock and awe. Says Stanley Mann, "It is very difficult to explain earth shattering performance... a phenomenal piece of kit and unbelievably fast; at really high speeds the front sort of takes off... around 550 bhp with enough torque to make you feel your head's coming off under acceleration." Mrs. Jumbo Goddard had suffered this first-hand, and her threat —"If you drive that thing again, I’m going to divorce you” — was probably not an empty one.

This 3/8-litre beast is something else. Here is Andrew English's first-person report of the experience. (Oct 2008)