Jersey Old Car Club Twelve Churches Cavalcade Boxing Day 26 December 2013

Chassis No. RN3035 at Jersey Old Car Club Twelve Churches Cavalcade Boxing Day Run, December 2011

In Channel Islands in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

This car was bought by Mr. J. Northway around 1937.

"I bought this car", writes J. Northway "about six years ago, and at that time the bodywork was extremely bad - no hood, rotten tyres, etc. - but the engine was in excellent condition, having had a complete overhaul by Laystalls. I got the car to Bristol and had it done up at a coachbuilders to look like new, all dents removed, a front apron made, all parts chromium plated, a new and rather neat hood made, and also a tonneau cover. It was painted battleship grey, and it really did look pretty carried out. Then I obtained six wheels off a Delage, which made the car very comfortable and definitely improved the appearance."

"The performance when all alterations and modifications were completed was very good, and on various occasions I got up to the 97 m.p.h. mark (speedometer recalibrated when new tyres and wheels were fitted), but must admit that the 100 was never reached on a level road. The car felt as though it would top the 100 mark, but roads in the district in question are not very suitable for the purpose. I drove the car at Backwell and Prescott hill-climbs without much success, as I found it rather too cumbersome for this type of hill; furthermore, I was not very keen on. over-revving the engine."

"In the last ten years or so I have owned first-class examples of a 3-litre Bentley (Red Label), 3-Iitre Lagonda open sports, and 30-98 Vauxhall, but must say that the 4½ litre Bentley is the best of the "real' cars. At present it is on jacks, but I look forward to some real motoring at a future date. Possibly a previous owner or owners may like to give its earlier history."