"...I cannot say whether or not the works at Cricklewood kept any replacement stock of engines, apart from those used for the racing cars, we certainly did not have any at the Kingsbury Service for exchange purposes, unless there was one tucked away under a bench somewhere in the Engine Shop, in which case someone in the shop might recall it.

Unfortunately, the key men in that section have passed on, but here follows the names of some who may know more about it: F. Podger; Reg.Moors; Sid.Eagling -- being the most likely, and H.A. Haggar; L.E. Kingham; C. Mustoe; Wilfred Hill; R.J. Smith. These were all in the Engine Shop around that time.

Incidentally, around 1924/5 there was a big fire at Park Wards' coachworks when a number of 3 Litres were destroyed, but, owing to a lack of foresight the Insurance company sold off the remains as scrap metal, whereupon certain motor concerns got hold of them and rebuilt a few. As these cars had once been red hot, I remember seeing some sagging in the middle, Bentley completely dis-owned them, and refused to supply any new parts for them, but in spite of this a few did get back on the road.

I do not think chassis 869 would have been involved as I believe nos. around 500 to 600 series were there at the time, all those destroyed are marked as such in the Chassis Books; I mention this because it let loose on the market some spare engines which were never accounted for.

Looking back, I do not recall any engine being swapped at the Service Dept. but as Cyril D. Haddock did all the costing up of the jobs done, he may remember.

I am afraid that is about the extent of my knowledge on this subject, but I hope it might help, in any case, my memory now has become rather dim, whereas at one time I knew nearly all the part numbers, chassis numbers relative to engine nos., and very many chassis numbers of cars in the possession of respective owners, and I think that somewhat wore out my memory..."