First International Bentley 8 Litre Rally, June 18-25, 2016
Team: Tony & Karen Sinclair, Channel Islands UK

Read article by Tamsin O'Brien.

Extract from article: Day 3 and we have a longer day, leaving the Black Forest and driving 155 miles to the Jura Mountains in Switzerland.  Tony and Karen Sinclair from the Channel Islands run into a problem in the garage with their ignition and a small group of us stay behind to help get the car started. Their Open Sports Tourer was once owned by Brooklands racing driver AG Turner. Tony tells me that he feels alive in this car, it has so much power. “We drove 750 miles to come here” he says “and I just loved passing all those modern cars on the motorway”. They are rescued by the very hospitable owner of the VierJahreszeiten Hotel who produces a large battery to get the car started.

Chassis No YF5018 is currently owned by Tony Sinclair.

"The car is now fully restored, it did the America/Canada BDC tour in May this year, and is in fine fettle!" says Tony Sinclair.

"I own the 1931 Bentley Reg No. GN 5182. You have a posting on the web site dated 2009 form Holly Lindsey saying that she is the granddaughter of Steve Fletcher the owner of the car in the 1960s, and offers to give photographs of the car to the new owner.

I now have both the car restored and its old saloon body. I would love to make contact with her to exchange information on the car now - and in particular get some more information and photographs on its history."

This car is currently owned by Tony Sinclair.

Chassis No. YF5018 at Jersey Old Car Club Twelve Churches Cavalcade Boxing Day Run, December 2011

The following advertisement text by Stanley Mann was found on the Stanley Mann Racing website on Jun 25, 2011:

"Registration Number: GN 5182 Chassis Number: YF 5018 Engine Number: YF 5018

THIS IS A FULLY MATCHING NUMBERED 8 LTR TO LE MANS SPEC.

She is freshly restored, amazing to drive and with super looks must be the ultimate Big Boys Toy.

Restoration
Engine YF5018 fully rebuilt with new crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, valves, guides, rockers, camshaft, waterpump, front closing plate, three-throw gears, oil pump gears, damper and modern shell bearings to main bearings and connecting rods. Magneto, Distributor and Starter motor all rebuilt. Carburettors rebuilt to original specification by SU Burlen. Camshaft damper rebuilt. Fuel feed converted to electric pumps with Autovac retained but not used. All other components renewed and replaced as necessary.

Chassis frame YF5018 shortened to 12', stripped and repainted. Front axle YF5018 drums skimmed and shoes relined. Brakes converted to "pull-on" action and brake lights added. Bearings replaced, servo overhauled, F-type gearbox NO 8021(ORIGINAL TO THIS CHASSIS)) fully rebuilt with new bearings. Rear axle YF5018 rebuilt with new bearings and 3.2:1 (14/45) Hypoid CWP. Rear Brakes relined and brake cables replaced as necessary. Compensator shaft overhauled. Le Mans tank fitted. Alternator added to clutch shaft in place of dynamo. Tecelamit system disconnected and replaced with individual lubrication points for more effective and accurate chassis lubrication. Tecelamit tank retained but not used. Master switch fitted to battery box.

P100DB headamps overhauled, original bonnet YF5018 refitted. Radiator shutters removed and replaced with stone guard.

Body by Wing and Pritchards. Fully scratch-paneled and trimmed. Hood and screen by Pearce and wings by Claridge. Instrument panel made to original specification and all instruments overhauled and replaced.

Finished in traditional British Racing Green.

Price POA."

This car is for sale as of June 28, 2011.

Oldenburg, May 2010

Bentley 8 Litre Tourer
Matching numbers, highly professional and complex restoration just completed, Tourer body by Wing & Pritchard, RHD. Exterior/Interior Color: British Racing Green/Green.

This car is presently for sale at E. Thiesen.

This car was purchased by Ewen Getley in 2008.

Ewen Getley wrote on June 30, 2009: "I am currently restoring this car and would be really interested to see any photos or past information that may still exist."

In USA in 2006 / Owned by a BDC & RROC member

 

This photograph was taken in or around 1960. Seen in photograph are then owners Steve and Jean Fletcher. The car was donated to a museum when Steve passed away.

June 10, 2009
VintageBentleys.org reader Holly Lindsey (from Kentucky, USA) has written in saying, "My grandfather, Steve Fletcher, owned this car. My mother has original photographs of it... We are very interested in finding the current owner to email them photographs and its history."