VSCC Silverstone, April 2016

Flying Scotsman Rally, April 2015

The Flying Scotsman Rally 2015 was staged 17-19 April, starting in England and finishing in Scotland. The sun shined on this year’s event as the 110-strong field of pre-war cars battled it out over 750 miles from Leeds to Scotland’s Gleneagles in three days. It was William Medcalf, last year’s winner, with navigator Tony Brooks in the 1925 Bentley Super Sports that raised the winner’s cup at the finish line of what has been called the toughest short pre-war rally in the world.

Medcalf said, “This is a really tough event where you have to push the car to the limits to manage your position. It’s full on for the navigators and there is stiff competition, as the event’s reputation for being expertly organised has resulted in serious rally entrants from all over the world.”

 

Hillsborough Concours 2009

1925 Bentley 3 litre 100mph Supersports 'Brooklands' Two-seater
Registration no. YK 1981
Chassis no. 1161
Engine no. 546

Sold for £276,500 inclusive of Buyer's Premium

Chassis no. 1161, on the short 9ft wheelbase, was first registered in July 1925 with London County Council, its recorded first owner being one J B Stennett of The Laurels, Winchmore Hill. The original body style is not recorded although there can be little doubt that it would have been of a sporting nature in view of the high-speed chassis specification. The guarantee period for the Supersports model was just one year, (all others had five years), and the Service Records for this car quote an expiry date of 31st July 1926. Curiously the first entry for any service work is for 1929. Lt. Col. Peter Gillett of The Royal Artillery owned the car in 1949 before selling it that year to Lt. Col. Hugh Widdington-Moor. D J Haley owned the car in 1950, W Main of Fitton, near Bristol was the recorded owner in 1951 and Jim Howarth of Burnley acquired it in 1966.

Interestingly BDC records state that when in Haley's ownership the car was fitted with engine no. 72 which further research shows came from chassis no. 68, the first owner of which was the aforementioned J B Stennett. Michael Hay's standard work, Bentley - The Vintage Years, records that at some stage 1161 was fitted with a 4 ½ litre engine and the engine now fitted, no. 546, comes from chassis no. 540. The original engine from 1161, engine no. 1145, is recorded by Hay as surviving and in chassis no. 609.

It was Jim Howarth who constructed the present coachwork in 1987, creating a car in true Brooklands style, following photographic research of similar competition model Bentleys and other cars. That Howarth achieved the desired effect is clearly evident in the end product and this car took the eye of the present owner some years ago, who simply had to add this car to his fine collection of exclusive vintage motor cars. In recent years 1161 has shared the motor house with examples of Isotta Fraschini, Hispano-Suiza, Rolls-Royce, Delage, SS100 and other similar exotica. A favourite within that collection, 1161 has been meticulously maintained to the highest standards, being constantly prepared and on-the-button for that fast blast around the hills in the area where it currently resides.

The coachwork is superbly liveried in dark British Racing Green and the interior is trimmed in black leather with matching black carpets. Driving equipment includes Lucas King of the Road head and side lamps, CAV rear lamps, including flashing indicators and brake lights as a concession to road safety, André Hartford shock absorbers, the luxury of front wheel brakes, quick fill and release petrol cap and gloriously resounding fishtail exhaust. The car is offered equipped with 820 x 120mm beaded edge wheels, which make handling a delight, but comes also with a full set of 18in wheels and tyres which the more competitive motorist may prefer. As a fast touring car 1161 has a most useful luggage storage area behind the seating accommodation. A 'batwing' windscreen is also offered as an option to the aero screens presently fitted.

Surviving examples of the Supersports model are rare indeed and are highly prized in Bentley circles where their performance potential is seriously respected. 1161 is offered with old style buff log book from 1949, Swansea registration document, current licence and MoT certificate, tax disc from 1951, FIVA identity card, old MoT certificates and a good set of working tools, along with a copy of Bentley Service Records covering the period 1925 to 1939.

In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member