A rare left-hand drive version in lovely condition, nicely finished in Shell grey and Tudor grey, with Parchment leather, and excellent veneers, headlining and carpet, all harmonising very well. Under the bonnet, the engine bay is fabulously presented, almost to concours standard and looking spectacular! The car is in good, sound condition structurally and mechanically fine, running and driving nicely. We have carried out considerable preparation work, fitted various new components, serviced the car, and it is now MoT tested until November 2025, and comes with paperwork confirming collector car status for registration purposes in the EU. A lovely example.

Price £43,500

Snippets: Norman Hickman

The 1st owner of B92LCN was Norman Hickman of New York who kept the car until his death in 1989. Norman was a man of several parts, he was a stockbroker with Wood, Struthers & Winthrop, an author of “The Quintessential Quiz Book” and a movie producer “The Finest Hour” & “A king’s Story”. During WWII Norman was the commander of a PT boat and for his services received the DSC & the Bronze Star. What few people realise is that he was a huge fan of Winston Churchill and at one stage he owned the artwork “The Tower of Katoubia Mosque” (Marrakech) – the only painting that Winston created during WWII – in 2011 the artwork was bought by Angelina Jolie who subsequently sold it in 2021 for £8.25m – a record price for a Churchill. At the 1972 premier of the film “Young Winston” about Churchill’s early life Norman escorted Sarah – the Lady Audley to the event, other attendees included the Duke & Duchess of Kent, Simon Ward, Mrs. Neff, Danny Kaye, Mrs. D.K.E. Bruce & the Earl of Cromer.

A project with a difference. Work was started on a renovation of this car, but it came to a halt for reasons unknown. Since then, the car has been put back on its wheels in a temporary fashion, and is in running order. Although the engine runs well and sounds good (apart from an exhaust manifold leak) the braking system is dismantled and the car therefore cannot be driven. The coachwork is sound and the leather has a lovely maturity to it, as does the car as a whole. The brakes, dampers and various chassis-related components have been removed, cleaned, partially prepared for restoration, and are with the car, as per the photos. We have invoices for £41,000 spent so far, all of which will assist with the further work now required. Overall, a correct, original car with a lot going for it.

Price £32,500

Snippets: Rear Admiral of the Fleet

Captain Edward Neville Syfret (1889/1972) took delivery of B133LE (he part exchanged a Humber Snipe) whilst he was in command of HMS Ramillies a Revenge-class super-dreadnought battleship in the Home Fleet. Capt. Syfret joined the Royal Navy in 1904, he specialised in gunnery & spent the majority of WWI in the North Sea on the light cruisers Aurora, Centaur & Curacoa. It was noted that prior to WWI he had a reputation as a cricketer and played at Lords on the Navy team for several years against the Army. In Nov 1939 Syfret was made Naval Secretary to the 1st Lord of Admiralty (Winston Churchill) and promoted to Rear-Admiral just two months later. Whilst he was Naval Secretary Syfret was not allowed to hold a sea command, but when Arthur Peters took over the role in June 1941 Syfret immediately returned to sea. His various postings included the Mediterranean, North Russia, Freetown, Capetown, Madagascar & of course the Irish Sea, it has been rumoured he took the car with him on some of his post-war postings, that would have been quite a sight. His WWII actions are recorded by Cmdr K. Edwards in his book “Seven Sailors” which we are fortunate to have a copy of. When he retired in 1948 from being in charge of the home fleet the newspaper cutting of the time shows him being pulled by the staff officers of in B133LE before he left under his own horsepower. He kept B133LE for some 32 years & sold the car in 1970 to J D Sharpe who drove the Bentley in several VSCC driving events held at Enstone Aerodrome in the 1970s – Motorsport reported that in the 1979 event “Sharpe slotted the wrong gear for reverse in Test 1” whoops.

A delightfully original, correct example, which we have known for many years – since the 1980s in fact. The car is wonderfully sound and – although looking all black in some of the photos – is actually very handsome in dark green and black paintwork, high quality and smart, but at the same time very appealingly matured, particularly the lovely brown leather. Headlining, carpets and woodwork are all good too, all of the cosmetics harmonising nicely. As well as the patina, the car is also sharp and smart – an unusual combination. Has a large sliding sunroof, external tinted glass sun visor, all correct lamps, front and rear, and a wonderful, original tool kit. Approximately £100,000 has been spent on the car over the last 25 years, documented with invoices. Driving very nicely, and just gorgeous. Looks good, smells good, and by golly it’ll do you good. (Mackeson reference). MoT tested until December 2025.

Price £72,500

Snippets: Bodman

The 1st owner of B59MX was Dr. John Francis Osmond Bodman (1903/62) of 105 Harley Street – he came from a family of doctors who had consulting rooms in Bristol & Harley Street. Relatives of J. F. O. Bodman included Francis Henry Bodman (1844/1933) who converted from orthodox medicine to that of Homeopathy and wrote several books on the matter. John Bodman’s father Christopher Osmond Bodman (1878/1950) was a homeopathic doctor and John’s uncles were all in the medical profession with Frank (an Anaesthetist) Alan, Paul & John not forgetting John’s grandfather Francis Hervey Bodman (1900/80).

The early part of Dr. J. F. O. Bodman’s career was spent with the Indian Medical Service – he had charge of laboratories in Quetta, Karachi, Bareilly, Peshawar, Razmak, Secunderabed & the Deccan! During his time there he dealt with outbreaks of plague, cholera & typhus. After India he took up placements in Germany, Holland and during WWII he was stationed in Bristol. From the chassis cards it appears that B59MX was sold in October 1940 to Oldhill Motors in Staffordshire for the sum of £1,525.00. In May 1945 B59MX was registered to the company of A W Swann & Co – the company was founded in 1918 by Arthur William Swann whose sons Archibald Wesley (1895/1980) & Arthur Wilfred Swann (1894/1946), after their demob from the Army joined him in the family Hosiery firm.

The 3 were collectively known as the 3 Swans! In the 1920s Swann’s produced just 20 varieties of ladies’ knickers but by 1932 they produced over 150 types with styles being made from knit, plain, fleecy & other fabrics and of course in many colours & sizes.

After a few month B59MX was sold via Jack Barclay’s to Reginald Joseph Stephen Bower of Woldingham, during WWI R. Bower had served with the Royal Fusiliers, his peace time occupation was that of an electrical engineer.

A fine example of an attractive and desirable car, being ‘high vision’, with ‘Plexiglass’ panels above the windscreen and a moonroof in the rear compartment. This, combined with slim pillars and large glass area, give a light and airy feel to the interior, hence the name. Cosmetically excellent, with good quality two tone blue paintwork, lovely chrome work (including correct R100 headlights, Ace sidelights, Lucas ‘Alto’ horns, etc), nicely harmonising blue/grey leather interior, and superb veneers. Added to this, the car is one of the 200 ‘M series’ cars built, with all of the advantages that this provides, including having overdrive, and is in very nice condition, following a huge amount of expenditure in recent times. This included, amongst many other things, a new cylinder head fitted by ourselves in 2010 when the car was last with us, an engine overhaul, and much more since, such as a rewire, various work to chassis, suspension, steering, brakes, etc, etc, much of it carried out by Fiennes Restorations, supported by a large quantity of invoices. The detail of this is far too much to mention here, but we would be very happy to discuss this with you. Very correct, desirable and appealing, running driving very well, and ready to go.

Price £82,500

Snippets: Motorcycles, Mills & Fruit Markets

Ordered by Sir Edmund “Ted” Frank Crane co- founder of The Hercules Cycle & Motor Company Ltd. When Petros Cycle Co (owned by his father) was declared bankrupt in 1906; the assets of this company were purchased by Ted & his brother Harry out of which they formed a new company – Hercules & Motor Co Ltd. This business move was initially judged as “Being illegal” but was successfully appealed against by the brothers.

By 1931 Ted was being described as “The Henry Ford of the Cycle Industry” with the company slogan being “The Best That Money Can Buy”. During the 1940s Ted’s home in Lapworth, “The Terets” mysteriously burnt down & was rebuilt as a modern open plan dwelling. An early occupier of the house was Edwin Clutterbuck (Solicitor) who between 1885 & 1899 fathered 8 children! By 1948 the car was registered to Henderson & Feather at Keighley, a company who specialised in the cleaning & combing of raw wool at their Mill.

Some 3 years later B102MR had found a new life with Donald William Ravenhill; in 1906 his father William was taken into partnership in the Fruit & Vegetable firm of T J Poupart after having been with the company only 9 years. Their sons, Donald Ravenhill & Harold Poupart joined the now family firm in 1923 & after William’s death in 1930 Donald took over his tasks as the firm’s importer. Poupart can lay claim to many firsts – importing the first kiwifruit & the first Uglifruit amongst these.

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.

A very smart example which, according to the factory records, was painted in ‘Gulf blue’ and ‘Grecian grey’, and seemingly still the case – a combination which, with the light blue leather and dark blue carpets – suits the car very well in our opinion. Paintwork, chrome plating, leather, headlining and interior veneers are all excellent, and the engine bay is spotless, virtually to show standards! The boot still has its original black matting, in good condition, which helps to tell a story of the life the car has led. The underside is clean and sound. History file includes various invoices, receipts, etc, dating from the 1970s to 2024, a green logbook, and an MoT certificate from 1974. The car is well presented, running and driving nicely, is fitted with seat belts to the front, and is to be offered fully serviced and newly MoT tested. A good-looking car, in a tasteful colour scheme.

Price £37,500

Snippets: Textiles

Norman Illingworth, a scion of the Holden & Illingworth mill owning families of Bradford took delivery of B122CK shortly before his 50th birthday, perhaps the S1 was an early gift to himself? In the mid 1800s 2 of the Holden sons and 1 Holden daughter married into the Illingworth family creating a unique bond that continued in business until the mid-1900s.

When Marion Holden the matriarch of the family died in 1847 her widower remarried, this time into the Sugden family who also owned a mill in nearby Keighley. The Holden / Illingworth families had factories in France (St. Dennis, Reims & Croix) and England (Penny Oaks, Bradford) – with their business partner Samuel Lister they developed a square motion combing machine (Lister held the patent) which ensured that they dominated the market in the production of combed wool to the extent that by 1867 they were largest wool combers in the world! The wealth generated by the production of this wool enabled the extended families to buy, build & renovate grand houses such as Lady Royd Hall, Oakworth House, Daisy Bank & Nun Appleton Hall.

In the 1930s Norman Illingworth joined the family concern which by now formed part of the Tootal Broadhurst & Lee consortium & in 1957 he was on the board of the parent company and the lesser known Aerlan Ltd. & Lantor Ltd – in 1958 he sailed from Southampton to Cape Town to inspect the firm’s overseas operations and the following year he sailed to New York. The chassis cards show that in 1962 the Bentley was no longer used by Norman and was with a Mr. Moody of Vernons Pools in Aintree

An attractive car, with low-folding hood line, giving a well-balanced appearance from any angle, enhanced by the rear-mounted spare wheel and quarter bumpers. The frontal aspect is also handsome with an impressive array of lamps and horns. Nicely painted in Burgundy and black, with contrasting tan leather interior and fully-lined hood. Nice mechanically, with a good engine, correct compressions, etc, running very nicely and a ‘well-rounded’ car, in an ideal condition to use as is, and perhaps improve in some respects as and when convenient. With the car are three folders of history, which include many invoices for repair and maintenance going back to the 1970s. Between 1974 and 2019, £73,000 has been spent on the car which, when taking into account inflation since the early part of that period, will probably represent a great deal more in today’s prices.  Amongst many other things, this work included a new aluminium cylinder head – a major plus point – and re-wiring in correct, cloth -covered cables, incorporating flashing indicators, which are rather important these days! Also included are old MoT certificates, correspondence (including letters from the original owner), a buff logbook from the 1950s, and various other documentation. We understand from documentation with the car that it was with the first owner until 1967. Certainly, it was with a subsequent owner from 1971 (or earlier) until he passed away in 2023. Fitted with a new aluminium cylinder head in relatively recent times – a significant plus point. Appealing registration number too!

Price £77,500 

Snippets: A pair of RAMC Doctors

The first owner of B86AH was Ivan Whiteside Magill (1888/1896) born in Larne, Northern Ireland who in 1913 qualified as a doctor at Belfast University. During WWI he served with the RAMC in France and after being demobbed he took up a post at Queen Mary’s in Sidcup which was a military hospital specialising in facial reconstruction of war injuries. This is where Ivan Magill pioneered & invented many instruments & methods relating to anaesthetics which are still in use today, including forceps, laryngoscopes & intubation; during the 1940s he was in charge of anaesthetising King George VI for two operations for which he was given a CVO & in 1960 in recognition of his life’s work Magill was knighted by King George’s daughter – Elizabeth.

The second owner of B86AH was Peter John Blackburn (1934/2023) who qualified at Dublin University in 1958 and the following year he joined the RAMC! Whilst with the RAMC his postings included Aden, Singapore, Europe & of course the UK. Whilst with the RAMC he progressed through the ranks from Captain to Major to Lt-Col to Colonel and finally retired in 1994 with the rank of Brigadier. His qualifications also progressed to include Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of the Art of Obstetrics, Diplomas in Public & Industrial Health and in Tropical Medicine. Along side Brigadier Lewthwaite, MajGen Crawford & Brigadier Harwood our Brigadier is acknowledged as having made a large contribution to the RAMC’s integrated approach to health – all 4 gentlemen retired in April 1994.

A good, clean example, nicely finished in soft white with good chrome plating and pale grey leather interior, and specified when new with ‘Sundym’ rear screen and rear side windows, which are indeed still in place to this day. Unusually, and appealingly, the car is fitted with a Tudor-Webasto fabric sunroof, complete with identifying tags, as shown in one of the photos. We have prepared the car for sale, work which included attention to brake hydraulics and servo, power steering, etc, as well as a full service. Running nicely, driving well, and we have just been successful in having the original registration number, 702 GLR, re-instated, something which is always very pleasing!

Price £95,000

Snippets: Military Cross, PoW & Racing Team

John “Jack” Sidney Durlacher 1913/88 was a grandson Henry Durlacher, who in 1843 founded Durlacher Bros (art dealers) whose offerings included furniture, works of art and porcelain, the New York City branch was opened in 1920 to cater for clients such as J. Pierpont Morgans & Sir R. Wallace. The New York City branch of the company sold artworks to families such as the Sachs, Wideners & to the Frick, Fogg & Cleveland Museums to mention a few. Henry & Adelaide Durlacher had 10 children with the 7th being Neville who was Jaks’s father, the family wealth was such that when Henry died in 1902 his estate was in excess of £100,000 today that would be circa £15m! During WWII Jack Durlacher served with the Royal Artillery and on the 20th of May 1940 whilst defending Calais, for which he received the Military Cross, he was captured and imprison at Oflag VII-C Laufen in South-eastern Bavaria. After the war ended Jack join his father in “The City” and in due course so did his son, Nicholas. Jack’s family were keen sportsmen and women – his mother Ruth Dyas was a national lawn tennis player and his father Neville a keen golfer & tennis player with Jack and his siblings taking up skiing during their younger days. Jack’s aunt Nora had married Leslie Dow a member of the Dow Port family – he had been “sent down from Cambridge” due to being involved in a betting scandal!! Jack was 50years old when he took delivery of BC42XB, (a birthday gift perhaps?) and a few years later he went into partnership with the Johnnie Walker heir Rob Walker when they bought a Cosworth powered Lotus 49. That same year the team won the British Grand Prix with Siffert as their driver, it was Rob Walker’s last win. The second owner of BC42XB was Donald Louis Nicholas who had a lifelong fascination with the Stuart history, Donald had also served his country during WWII with the 70th H.A.A. Regiment and after the war ended he wrote several books on his Scottish heritage. His 1st wife, Evadne Chavasse was a scion of the Chavasse medical family & her Uncle Noel Godfrey Chavesse is one of three people to have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice, the others were C. Upman & A Martin-Leake. There were 4 members of the Chavesse family who were awarded the Military Cross during both WWI & WWII. The 3rd name on the chassis cards is Denys Martyn of Triley Court, Abergavenny (he also owned a SCIII Chinese Eye Coupe) – he had studied at Cambridge alongside George Lascelles (Earl of Harewood) and in 1947 Denys, George & Patrick Hedley-Dent enjoyed a motoring holiday in Italy & I quote: “wearing clothes that were too thick, failing to sleep in the hot weather, worrying about money “. Denys & George remained friends for many years and often went on Operatic Expeditions together.

One of just six Derby Bentleys bodied by Mulliners, this example went through our hands in 1991 and has remained with the same owner until 2024 – 33 years. Mildly, but appealingly quirky in design in some ways, and refreshing different from some other Derby Bentleys out there. Although the car would perhaps benefit from some tidying and general uplifting, it has a smart red leather interior, is complete and correct, and is in useable condition, as you will see in the video below. Fitted with a new cylinder head some years ago, and has just been re-commissioned by ourselves. A ‘use and improve’ car, suitably priced, sound, running well.

Price £39,500

Snippets: Louis Antweiler

B106EF was owned by Louis Antweiler a director of both Mulliner & Calthorpe, in 1924 Calthorpe ran into financial difficulties & Antweiler bought out Calthorpe & at the same time he created Mulliners Ltd. His first order was from Clyno and later customers included Austin, Hillman, Lanchester and Daimler. By 1929 the firm went public and with the onset of WWII Mulliners expanded their range of bodies to include military vehicles, aircraft and gliders! The 2nd owner of B106EF was Col Sir Joseph Reed who was, as it happened, a co-director of Mulliners Ltd alongside Gordon Caine, Edward Montesole & Louis Antweiler. All of these gentlemen owned Rolls-Royce 20hps Caine GEN34, Montesole GEN29, Antweiler GUK71 & Reed GEN57! We have also been informed that, according to car-lore, the extra leg-room in the back of B106EF was done to accommodate Eva Antweiler’s famously long legs! Just prior to WWII B106EF became the property of Harold Basil Wallis – in 1925 he formed the firm Smith Wallis & Co, a Birmingham firm who manufactured brass, gunmetal and iron window fittings – was there a business connection between the two firms? By 1973 the Bentley was in Ohio with C. Fred Brown who in 1953, aged just 21 had the distinction of becoming the youngest Cadillac dealer in the world! His collection of Rolls-Royce & Bentley cars included a pair of 20/25s, a pair of 25/30s, 7 Silver Wraiths, a SCI, a PV, a Derby 4 ¼, a pair of MK VIs & of course B106EF!

Price £125,000

Snippets: Doris Skinner

B179JY was bought by Sir Sydney Martyn Skinner (Chairman of John Barker & Co.) as a gift for his eldest daughter Doris Irene Skinner (1903/95). Doris never married and became an astute business lady – by 1931 she had several commercial properties registered in her name – 152, 152A & 154 Rye Lane plus Nrs 1 to 6 of The Market, Choumert Road, Peckham. In May 1927 Doris was involved in a collision with a motor cyclist Mr. Maurice Verrall of Crowborough– there is no mention of what she was driving at the time! Her brother, Percy Martyn Skinner (1906/93) was not only a pig farmer but also a poet of some relevance with his most noted being “Letters to Malaya” and “The Return of Arthur. It is understood that during WWII Doris gave B179JY to Percy for use on his pig farm, in order to take advantage of war-time petrol rationing he converted B179JY to an Estate Car! Her business acumen was such that when she died she left an estate in excess of £950,000 and she still lived in the same village as she did 1927. Her younger sister, Constance Muriel, married Henry John Kingerlee, a scion of the Oxford construction firm whose roots can be traced back to the mid1800s with Thomas Kingerlee a plumber & glazier. Today the company is very much a family concern and is in the hands of the fifth generation of Kingerlees. Family members who didn’t join the firm became drapers, chemists, film printers & a private secretary to Lord Nuffield. Later owners of B179JY included a garden specialist (Bostock), a clock maker (de Save), Benetton Formula 1 technician and Rally enthusiast (Grant) and Granger Telecom Director (Verth).

A sound and smart example of the characterful H.J.Mulliner design, which was in many ways ahead of its time, having an appearance more akin to the late fifties, yet with features such as the divided front screen, reminiscent of a slightly earlier period, giving the car a delightful quirkiness! Structurally good, cosmetically smart and mechanically good, running and driving nicely. Finished in an unusual and attractive deep shade of blueish green, with very appealing, original brown leather interior, and nice matching carpets (in the boot too), and very good headlining. Plenty of interior woodwork, which features elegant crossbanding veneers. Driving very well, fitted with flashing indicators (important in modern traffic conditions), Michelin radial tyres, and offered MoT tested until February 2025.

Price £ 32,500

Snippets: Lime Sand Mortar & Thomas Tilling

The first owner of B22WH was Colin Percival Clarke (1911/88) who alongside Sir Albert Braithwaite and Vernon Wilson became a director of Lime-Sand Mortar Co which was formed in 1939 by Richard Ollendorf & Dr. Ernst Schweitzer. These gentlemen were forced to sell their German companies (Lime and cement) by Nazi decree and as a result emigrated together with their families and set up a ready-mix plant in the UK. The Home Office offered them the option of settling in Wales or on the North East coast which they chose due to the suitable sand. The team of Clarke, Braithwaite & Wilson owed Burnhills Sand & Gravel Company and they leased land to Ollendorf & Schweitzer for their plant. In 1942 the German firm was absorbed by Burnhills & traded under the name of A. Braithwaite & Co Ltd. Many years later the firm is now part of the Thomas Tilling Group which during the 1970s had 70 ready mixed concrete plants in the UK plus others in Europe and South Africa. The Tilling Group can be traced back to 1846 when he started offering a horse bus service, by 1856 this had expanded to bus and general carriage work and in 1860 he supplied and trained horses to haul fire engines in the Peckham area! In 1904 they had 3 Milnes-Daimler 24hp buses and in 1905 they had 20 buses and some 7,000 horses! The 2nd owner of B22WH was John Buckle whose family had interests in dyeworks in Bradford

A late example of the iconic fastback, benefiting from the 4.9 litre engine, which was only fitted to ‘D’ and ‘E’ series cars. This one also has an automatic gearbox and the larger, better padded seats, making the car very easy, comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The car is in lovely condition and beautifully finished in the original colour of metallic Regal red, and re-upholstered in recent times, including red piping to the leather, also as per original specification. The woodwork is gorgeous, with lovely veneers incorporating cross-banding ornamentation, and the carpets and headlining are absolutely excellent and very fresh. The engine compartment is clean, correct and well-presented, showing care and attention, and is just the way we like to see them, not ‘over the top’ or over-prepared. Rectification and repair work in recent years by a specialist amounted to more than £18,000. Has been with one family for 44 years, is all correct, driving very nicely and is in excellent condition throughout. Offered, prepared, serviced and MoT tested until August 2025.

Price £ 550,000

Snippets: Screen, Speed & 007

Samuel John Harris of Cinema Press Ltd registered BC38D at both his home of 92 Cheyne Walk and his business “The Cinema” 93 Wardour Street both in London’s West End. Sam Harris came from a family with many noteworthy & notorious individuals whose wealth originated from William & Elizabeth Levy. In 1817 their “disorderly house” attracted the attention of a House of Commons enquiry but their descendants were more circumspect in their careers becoming lawyers, QCs, Military heroes, actors, artists and adventurers! The book “Wealth & Notoriety” about the family makes for fascinating reading with detailed information of the extended family and is a must for the next owner of the Bentley. In 1954 whilst dining with his family at Cheyne Walk thieves entered the upper storey of the property and stole furs and jewellery amounting to some £1,300 without disturbing the diners. After a few year BC38D was with Guy Howard Martineau of French ancestry whose family were involved in banking, brewing, textiles and politics. In 1930 Howard Martineau and his family acquired the rights to the UK branch of the French firm Salmson Motors (the Martineau brothers were very involved in the car racing scene of the 1920s and often competed against each other and Malcolm Campbell). The Salmson Motor company initial started as manufacturers of aero engines but they also produced a small quantity of cars – the Salmson 12/70 S4C, the S4D & the 20/90 S6D with versions including saloons, tourers & drophead coupes – all production of cars ceased prior to WWII with the firm concentrating on the war effort. The third owner was Gilbert Nelson Southall of GN Southall Securities who died at his home of 98 Eaton Square at the young age of 54 leaving a small fortune of some £ ¾ million to his widow Betty. During the 1960s BC38D was with Aubrey Forshaw, MD of Pan Books and legend would have it the inspiration for the cars that James Bond, 007 drove! Ian Fleming wrote the following dedication into the flyleaf of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service “To Aubrey, who wrote some of it! From Ian. As Aubrey was a keen motorist he was Ian Fleming’s expert for technical information concerned Bond’s cars hence the inscription.

Cheerfully painted in red and cream to a high standard, with matching cream leather, and red carpets (in the boot as well) this car is a good example of the sought after ‘long wing’ design number 99, mounted on a ‘Big Bore’ 4½ litre chassis. The interior woodwork is particularly interesting, being quite plain in terms of the grain, but in three shades and with a tasteful satin finish. The car is very sound, with excellent door fits, etc, and is running well. We are currently preparing and servicing it, have fitted five new radial tyres, which suit the car very well, both visually and from a driving point of view, together with new tubes, ready for the road. We have also fitted a new stainless steel rear bumper and over riders, which are excellent! Invoices on file from earlier this year show remedial work, including a clutch overhaul, and together amount to over £10,000 having been spent. The original registration number, OTO 620, instantly gives the car a name!

Price £ 79,500

Snippets: Lace & Wimbledon & a Caravan

The first owner of B455NY was Stuart Kirkland Fletcher (1897/1963) who in 1915 aged just 18 joined the RAMC and was posted to Mesopotamia, he was the recipient of both the Victory & British Medal for his service during WWI. The Fletcher family fortune was founded in the machines that they produced for the lace mills and a descendant S.B. Fletcher has written a 250pg book on the Fletcher House of Lace. One of Stuart’s daughters, Helen Margaret, was an international tennis player and when she started playing the game in 1945 it was as a right-handed player but after falling off a horse in 1946 and breaking her wrist Helen switched to playing with her left and became on the top lefthanded players in the world! In 1950 she played her first game in Wimbledon and by 1953 she was ranked No. 9 in World Singles and No.2 in Great Britain, In 1953 & ’54 she beat the world’s No.3 Shirley Fry on grass at Manchester. By 1961 B455NY was with Major Anthony Richard Carr of Bladgen House in Keevil. In 1585 Roger Blagden a clothier from Keevil purchased land from Thomas Jones and after Roger Blagden’s death in 1603 his estate was inherited by his heir Roger and the estate remained in the Blagden family until 1807 when the last living relative a Miss Ann Dare left the estate to a John Chamberlaine who in turn left it to his married daughter a Mrs Pooke – in order to accept the bequest Mr. Pooke changed his name by deed poll to Chamberlaine!! Blagden House was built in the mid 1600s but there are parts of it which can be traced back to the 1400s when it was owned by the wealthy clothier Lawrence Stephens. From the 1980s to 2016 B455NY was with Robert Belli of Virsac who being a carpenter had restored his parent’s travelling caravan in which he along side his 14 siblings was raised!

Following a comprehensive, 1,200 hour body restoration and a superb, top quality re-paint, this is an extremely smart example of a sought after and desirable car. Beautifully finished coachwork, complemented by excellent chrome work, lovely refurbished interior, supple leather, and newly re-finished wood. New, fully lined hood also fitted, and the car looks wonderful in its tasteful colour scheme. The work is documented with invoices and a 15 minute video of stages of the restoration taking place. Drives very nicely indeed and all-in-all is as good as you could hope to find! In fact, perhaps unusually, the car looks even better ‘in the metal’ than maybe it comes across in the photos. Comes with a large history file, which includes, amongst many other things, a 1960s green logbook and the car is offered MoT tested until June 2025.

Price £ 195,000

Snippets: G. E. M. S. Nobel.

George Ernest Michael Sinclair Noble was a secret agent, a journalist & a sculptor! Born in Durham in 1919 he joined up in 1939 and after Dunkirk he became an officer in the VIII army in Libya before he was posted to Italy. His task was to assist post-war relationships between Italy and Great Britian and alongside the writers Afeltra, Fini & Buzzati he founded the Gionale Lombardo. This in turn led him to meet Ida Borletti the daughter of the industrialist and politician Senator Borletti who owned the Corriere Della Sera newspaper. Ida was some 20 years older than Noble and sadly he felt that “one wife was not always enough” which led him to drink. Michael & Ida would attend the San Giacomo Hospital for his daily de-toxification meeting arriving, but of course, in their Rolls-Royce! As a consequence of this Michael volunteered at the Psychiatric Hospital in Verona alongside the sculptor Castagna which was where he met & encouraged the patient Carlo Zinelli whose talent in turn led to the formation of a gallery for the “in-patients” to display and sell their art in. It is not known if BC66XA spent much, if any time, in Italy as by 1967 the car was with Noreen, the Countess Raben whose parents were Colonel Sir Abe Bailey & his 2nd wife Hon. Mary Westenra both of South African descent. The Countess’s mother Mary Bailey was an Anglo-Irish aviator (she was the daughter of 5th Baron Rossmore) who during WWI volunteered as an aviation mechanic and in 1927 she gained her pilot’s licence. She became the 1st woman to fly across the Irish Sea and in 1927 she set a world height record in here de Havilland with her passenger being Louise de Havilland. Mary continued to set flying records & was one of the first people to use aerial photography in combination with archaeological surveys including the Kharga Oasis in Egypt.

Price £39,500.

Snippets:

A smart clean example in a lovely shade of deep metallic blue, with nicely matured beige leather interior. The car was recently driven here from Austria and back again without issues and is in fine condition throughout – ideal to jump in and use either for long distance touring or for regular local running around. Unusually, the car is fitted with a period steel electric slide and tilt sunroof, which we see as a very appealing feature, adding more to the car’s attractiveness. The car has been enthusiastically used and well cared-for, and work in 2022 included a brake overhaul, consisting of new shoes, new drums, wheel cylinders and hoses, and a service at the same time, costing about £7,000 altogether. Not a showpiece, but very presentable, ready to use, and offered MoT tested until September 2024.

Price £99,500

Snippets: Construction & Wheeler Dealers

Morris Summers (1916/2001) took delivery of BC174XA at his home in Avenue Close, Avenue Road, London. He was a successful builder whose company of Waltham Cross Construction Co Ltd had its HQ in Finsbury Park which is noted for its early cinemas. Namely 1913 Rink Cinema (now Ten Pin Bowling) and the 1930 Astoria which was designated as being Grade II due to the Art Deco features that it boasted. Morris & his wife Hilda were parents to twin girls Evelyn & Charlotte (1946) and later a son John (1953). According to the chassis cards by 1971 BC174XA was with D. Wheeler of 20 Warren Street who is thought to be a second hand car dealer as this was predominantly the trade on Warren Street. The street is named after Anne Warren daughter of Sir Peter Warren and wife of Charles Fitzroy, 1st Baron of Southampton who owed and developed the area in the late 1700s.

A fabulous example of a desirable design and configuration of car, originally specified to be painted Circassian blue, and now beautifully finished to a very high standard in a gorgeous shade of very dark, inky blue, which may well be the original colour. Fine red pin striping, superb chrome work, and appealing, original blue leather interior, with attractive veneers add to the appealing nature of this car, which combines patina with high quality refurbishment in a way that works particularly effectively. It is very apparent in many ways that the car has undergone significant restoration work in recent times, particularly looking at the underside, which tells a story in itself, being remarkably fresh-looking, clean and well presented, as is the engine bay. Currently fitted with new whitewall crossply tyres, but these can be changed for new blackwall radials if you prefer at no extra cost. Needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. A superb car, offered fully prepared, serviced, UK registered for the first time in many years after time overseas, will be offered newly MoT tested.

Price £ 255,000

Snippets: The Valentine Car

The first owner was Harold Watson Hall of Scorborough Hall, he came from an industrious Yorkshire family whose business dealings included land and sea with trawlers & farms. During WWII several of the trawlers were taken over by the Royal Navy to be used as mine-sweepers and convoy defence vessels. Harold Watson and his brother Donald both served during WWII with Donald joining the Territorial’s and Harold the Intelligence section of the RAF, their Uncle Nick had joined the East Riding Yeomanry and he was awarded a Military Cross for his actions. Donald was killed in action whilst trying to get to Dunkirk during the final retreat, he was just 29. It would appear that Harold was a fan of speed as in 1940 he, along with Christopher Danby Wright of The Grange, Nafferton was summoned for exceeding the speed limit – no escaping the speed police even during wartime! Harold’s wife was godmother to James Gavin Nicholson whose father Wing Commander James Bringley Nicholson was the sole airman to be awarded the Victoria Cross during WWII, for his single act of valour during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It is not known when Harold Watson Hall sold BC87CZ but by June 1986 it was purchased by James Kirby Dobbs III for his 40th birthday and duly shipped to Memphis where he kept the car for a mere 3 years before it was sold to Dr. Morris Gardner of Pennsylvania. The Dobbs family firm started by James Kirby Dobbs the 1st as a Ford dealer ship and since that time has been involved in airline food, haulage, leasing, distribution, finance, health and today the family firm has many, many, more strings to their bow. By 2000 BC87CZ was with Herbert Wetanson of restaurant and fast food fame, he lived 945 Fifth Avenue in New York which was built by the Rudin family & opened in 1948. The west facing apartments within the building have views over the iconic Central Park which dates from the mid 1800s.

Price £ 395,000