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    www.VintageBentleys.org September 2013   
N E W S L E T T E R
   
 
M E S S A G E    F R O M    Y O U R    H O S T

Unrestored vs. Restored
The Bentley Drivers Club, Antique Automobile Club Of America and many other clubs were formed in the 1930s to preserve the cars of the past that we loved and enjoyed. Many were cars we could never have afforded when new and just keeping these cars on the road was a challenge. Joining car clubs directed us to parts, maintenance information and provided camaraderie. Bringing the cars back to like-new with a restoration was not economical for most collectors and enthusiasts, after all, they were just cheap fun. By the 1960s, it was possible to turn the old car hobby into a business, and soon the word "investment" became more popular than the phrase "a waste of your time and money". Restoration shops and auctions became the norm.

A recent phenomena is the popularity of the "barn find", an very original, unrestored but well used and preserved car that has not been subjected to recent restorations and modifications. These cars are gaining in popularity and value. This trend could also apply to well worn cars that we have enjoyed for many years but now you want to sell. A full restoration may not be worth the price, if the patina that your cars has developed from for decade of use, is appreciated by buyers. Read more.

I would like to thank the following vintage Bentley enthusiasts for their contributions in August 2013:

Bob Mould, Bob Rippon, Charles Prince, David A.Smethurst, David Cohen, David Rolfe, David Smethurst, David Wheatley, Duncan Donaldson-Davidson, Erik Thomas, Guy Burden, John Skidmore, Justin, Lawrence Moore, Linton Martin, Loretta Champion Johnson, Martin Torres, Patrick Cowland, Peter Graham, R & B Hanson, R.G.Toone, Rob Kauffman, Roger Felton, Ron Warmington, Russell Browne, Stanley Bauer, Stuart Forsey, Sylvia Fenwick, Terry McGrath, Tony Sinclair, Tracey Stainforth, Warren Webb

- Robert McLellan, September 2, 2013
 
E-mail Robert
 
 
 
Sir Henry Birkin's legendary supercharged Bentley 'Blower'
The export of the world's most expensive Bentley has been put on hold by the UK government, which has described the 1929 car as of "outstanding significance".
 

The export of the world's most expensive Bentley has been put on hold by the UK government, which has described the 1929 car as of "outstanding significance". But what do we know about the legendary "Blower" and the enigmatic aristocrat, Sir Henry Birkin, who spent his fortune developing it?

Sir Henry, who was known widely by the nickname Tim, was famed as a top racing driver, always dapper in his trademark silk neckerchief flapping in the wind as he tore around Brooklands, the Nurburgring or Le Mans. Using the family fortune made through Nottingham lace, Sir Henry travelled the world, living the glamorous life of a 1920s racing hero as one of the "Bentley Boys". But he did not drive to win - he raced for the love of speed and to improve the standing of British motorsport, according to his great-great-nephew Sir John Birkin - a filmmaker who worked on a 1995 drama starring Rowan Atkinson as Sir Henry.         Read more

 

In June of 2012, the 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter supercharged single-seater – once piloted by Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin to a Brooklands Outer Loop record-breaking speed of more than 137 MPH – sold for 5,042,000 British pounds ($7,907,530) at Bonhams’s Goodwood auction. The price set a new record for the most expensive English car ever sold at auction, and little is known about its anonymous buyer except for this: He or she is not a resident of the United Kingdom. Now that latter fact has led the United Kingdom to block the car from leaving the country.      Read more

   
  [View over 100 photos and lots of information]
 
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Article from 1940
That 8-litre Again

Published in "Motor Sport", December 1940

The invitation to go out in Forrest Lycett's 8-litre last month, before the famous car is stored for an indefinite period in some warm, safe garage, was accepted with as much keen anticipation as if we had never been in the car before, for motoring of this calibre is quite unique, and particularly so in these disturbed times. The 8-litre is accepted in most circles as the highest-performance road car in existence, and even those who should know it better are heard to express the opinion that it is a very considerably hotted-up version of the Bentley marque.

 
  Read more  
   
 
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Chassis no. RL3438: "Sadly my dad David Horner passed away last year and we owned JK 221 from approximately 1975ish to 1979/80ish. I found this site the night before my dad's funeral and cannot say what comfort I gained knowing JK 221 is still on the go." — Tracey Stainforth (Daughter of former owner) [More]

Aug 31, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Rob Kauffman for Chassis Nos. MF3153, HF3187 & RL3448

Aug 31, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Ron Warmington for his Chassis No. XF3508

Aug 31, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Linton Martin for Chassis No. VF4019

Aug 31, 2013 - Info and photograph received from Bob Mould for Chassis No. DS3557

Aug 31, 2013 - Information received from Lawrence Moore for his Chassis No. 1197

Aug 31, 2013 - Information received from David Wheatley for Chassis Nos. 859 & UK3283

Aug 31, 2013 - Information received from R.G.Toone for Chassis No. 792

Aug 31, 2013 - Information received from Patrick Cowland for Chassis No. DE1223

Aug 30, 2013 - Response received from Stuart Forsey to 'Bentley Clinic' question on 'Recommendation for the right tyres'

Aug 30, 2013 - 'Unknown' Bentley identified by Erik Thomas as Chassis No. SM3912

Aug 29, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. YF5012, RL3438, AB3356, FB3319, HB3416, HB3420, AX1656 & KD2112

Aug 28, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. 1122, SR1405, 1124, ST3014, 387 & RT1544

Aug 27, 2013 - New info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. XF3519, PB3543 & 233

Aug 26, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. SB2753, AP324, TB2538 & XL3117

Aug 23, 2013 - New info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. UK3278 & WK2658

Aug 22, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. 1215, HF3193, PB3547, SM3920, VF4018, KF2397, NX3473, YX5105, 1033, HB3421, 509, 1236, FA2510, XL3121, NT3137, 1112, KR2683, PB3539, AB3372, 750, 1223, RE1385, TB2538, TX3242

Aug 21, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. FS3618 & YF5012

Aug 19, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Peter Graham for his Chassis No. SL3074

Aug 19, 2013 - New info and photograph received from John Skidmore for Chassis No. 854

Aug 19, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Warren Webb for Chassis No. VA4084

Aug 16, 2013 - Info and photograph received from Bob Rippon for Chassis No. NR510

Aug 16, 2013 - Information received from Roger Felton for his Chassis No. XT3636

Aug 14, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. LT1582, 1223, PL3477, KL3592 & 1031

Aug 12, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. NH2750, MR3397, TN1553, TB2538 & ML1518

Aug 08, 2013 - Bentley Clinic: New question posted by Stanley Bauer about Recommendation for the right tyres.

Aug 07, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Tracey Stainforth for Chassis Nos. RL3438, WB2565 & 48
Aug 07, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Sylvia Fenwick for Chassis No. PL3498
Aug 07, 2013 - Information received from Tony Sinclair for his Chassis No. YF5018
Aug 06, 2013 - Information received from Justin for Chassis No. 314
Aug 05, 2013 - Information received from David A.Smethurst for his Chassis No. VA4085
Aug 05, 2013 - 'Unknown' Bentley identified by David Cohen as Chassis No. 500
Aug 01, 2013 - Info and photographs added for Chassis Nos. YX5122, YR5099, YR5080, YM5040, YR5076 & YM5034
Aug 01, 2013 - Info and photographs received from Russell Browne for Special Bentleys [Napier Bentley] [Pacey Hassan] [Barnato Hassan]
  [More]
 
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U N I D E N T I F I E D     B E N T L E Y S
 

(Car in the photograph bears
Reg. No. JT 5985 on the number plate.)

3-litre Bentley
(Reg. No. begins with 'U' and ends with '3')
 
Request to identify these vintage Bentley cars
"Wondering if anybody can help to identify either of these. Both were taken during a Bentley Drivers Club rally at Buxton in Derbyshire, UK in October 2001." — John Skidmore

For more info on this car, please click here
 
 
View newly added Unidentified Bentleys.

LOOK FOR SPECIFIC
VINTAGE BENTLEY CARS

VINTAGE BENTLEYS
LOOKING FOR NEW OWNERS
Chassis No. 233
1923 Bentley 3 Litre
   
Chassis No. PB3543
1930 Bentley 4½ Litre
   
Chassis No. 930
1925 Bentley 3-Litre
   
Chassis No. PM3259
1928 Bentley 4½ Litre
   
Chassis No. YR5087
1931 Bentley 8 Litre
   
Chassis No. 276
1923 Bentley 3 Litre
   
Chassis No. 1199
1923 Bentley 3/4½ Litre
   
Chassis No. AH1479
1926 Bentley 3/4½ Litre
   
Chassis No. FB3312
1929 Bentley 4½ Litre
 
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UPCOMING
BENTLEY EVENTS
~~~~
Pacific Northwest Tour
September 15 - 21, 2013
~~~~
Italian Charme Classic Gran Tour - Celebrating Bentley Boys
September 19 - 22, 2013
~~~~
Europe by Bentley 2014
May 3 - 30, 2014
~~~~
RROC 2014 National Meet (Allegheny Region)
July 28 - August 2, 2014
~~~~
RROC National Meet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Summer 2014
~~~~
 
 
Click here for details
 

   
   

 
 
Instruction Books - The starting point
3 Litre :: 6½ Litre :: 4½ Litre :: 8 Litre :: 4 Litre

It is surprising how many owners do not possess the 'Instruction Book' for their vintage Bentleys. Get your copy now.

CLICK HERE to read or download Instruction Books for all models.

 
 
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