Vintage Bentley
Production NOS.
Where To Look For
Chassis & Engine NOS.
Bentley Specials & Special Bentleys
Unidentified
Bentleys
Articles
10 March 2008
Empire Reactions to the Sports Car
When the war came along I entered into various negotiations, which finally resulted in my finding myself in Central Canada. Here I found the attitude to the sports car somewhat remarkable and almost amusing. In fairness, I must say that so far as I know there are only two examples on the road in the whole Dominion of Canada of a good type of sports car and interestingly enough, both of these models were built in the same year and had a very similar performance. One is a 1930 Mercedes-Benz; the other a 1930-1931 4 1/2-litre blower Bentley… The latter I was able to acquire at a very moderate price, for despite its good qualities, this type of car has practically no appeal on the American continent. The average American-Canadian buys a car almost completely for its appearance, its height (so that the owner can always look down on others), and the number of extras and gadgets, which it may boast.
When the war came along I entered into various negotiations, which finally resulted in my finding myself in Central Canada. Here I found the attitude to the sports car somewhat remarkable and almost amusing. In fairness, I must say that so far as I know there are only two examples on the road in the whole Dominion of Canada of a good type of sports car and interestingly enough, both of these models were built in the same year and had a very similar performance. One is a 1930 Mercedes-Benz; the other a 1930-1931 4 1/2-litre blower Bentley… The latter I was able to acquire at a very moderate price, for despite its good qualities, this type of car has practically no appeal on the American continent. The average American-Canadian buys a car almost completely for its appearance, its height (so that the owner can always look down on others), and the number of extras and gadgets, which it may boast. Continued...
