1950 Bentley MKVI Park Ward ‘Long Wing’ Drophead Coupe

A particularly sound and correct example of a desirable & rare drophead, restored in the 1970s to an award winning standard. In fact, amongst other prizes, B4HR won several awards at Pebble Beach, including 1st place in class in 1978. When new, the car was displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show, before being delivered to its first owner in Gibraltar, later going to the USA and later still to France. Forty six years after the restoration, thirty two of which were with one owner, the car is still in very good order, running and driving very pleasantly, excellent structurally, including doors which close with a satisfying ‘click’ with no up & down movement and a rust-free chassis and underside, due no doubt to the warm dry climates the car has lived in at various stages of its life. Cosmetically, the paint is showing its age and lifting in places, but still mostly presentable, the leather is original, in very good condition with no rips or tears, the woodwork is attractive and the hood & lining are excellent. Looking very handsome in two shades of green with tan leather and a beige power hood. The car is fitted both with original trafficators and flashing indicators, which are incorporated into the existing side and tail lights – very neat. There are even colour co-ordinated inertia reel seat belts fitted, and radial ply tyres to which the car is well suited. Wholesome and appealing, a desirable car and good value for money, offered serviced, performing very nicely, and MoT tested until November 2025

Price £79,500

Snippets: Cars & Owners with Awards

The first owner of B4HR was Douglas Lee Hunter MC OBE, he was awarded the Military Cross in July 1944 in recognition of “his gallant & distinguished services in Burma” and in 1945 he was awarded a 2nd Military Cross as a Bar – in February 1945 Hunter had been dropped by parachute into Perak, Malaysia from where he gathered intelligence on behalf of Army Command, Hunter was, according to Boris Hembry author of “Malayan Spymaster” “ruthless, cold & calculating”.

During the late 1950s / late 1960s B4HR was with the 16th Earl of Winchelsea – his relations include the Drexels (US Banking), Vanderbilts (Railroads & Banking) and his uncle Denys Finch-Hatton – the inspiration for the film “Out of Africa” starring Robert Redford & Meryl Streep. In 1964 B4HR was registered to Bernard Hatfield who was the Earl’s father-in-law.

By the 1980s B4HR was in America with Robert Emery Wanless – in 1954 Capt R. E. Wanless was the Chief Pilot on the inaugural flight of the new PanAm “Stratocruiser” which flew for 4 hours over the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley before returning to New York over Washington and Baltimore. After retirement Robert Wanless indulged in his passion for classic cars and he entered B4HR 4 times into the Pebble Beach Concours, in 1978 his efforts were rewarded with 1st place. The car had previously been placed 2nd & 3rd in this event. Robert’s father was Sir William James Wanless who became a surgeon and in 1889 he emigrated to India where he remained for 40 years. His patients included commoners, princes, rajahs and Mahatma Ghandi – today there is a modern teaching hospital in Miraj named the Wanless Hospital.