Often enough during the 1930s I saw an advertising slogan for Austin cars, "You buy a car but you invest in an Austin." A comparable advertising slogan for Bentley cars would be, "You buy a car but you fall in love with a Bentley." In spite of all the changes which Bentley Motors has undergone since its establishment in 1919, its products young and old have always been and still are in keen demand all over the world, especially in New Zealand. In fact for a few years after its arrival on the world scene, the exciting 12-cylinder Bentley Continental R had its highest per capita sales in New Zealand.

Although the combined urban and rural population of Timaru District was less than 60,000, from 1928 to 2010, it was home to nineteen Bentleys which arrived and departed at different times, each one owned, pampered and motored enthusiastically. During the nine years between 1976 and 1985 there were seven Bentleys of varied styles and pedigrees in the district for the whole of that time. In order to match this record the Greater Auckland City of 1.5m would need to host nearly 200 Bentleys for nine years.

Chassis HF 3198. 1928 4½ Litre Tourer

This Bentley was purchased near new by C W F Hamilton of Irishman Creek Station, South Canterbury, when he visited Britain in 1929 and brought it back to NZ later that year. Before bringing it to New Zealand Bill Hamilton raced this Bentley very successfully in England, where he won three races at Brooklands in one day. After being owned by two others it was purchased by Willis Brown of Invercargill, who was well known in Bentley circles for many years in NZ. This Bentley is now in the UK.

As a very talented engineer, Bill Hamilton established on the Station an engineering workshop, which during WW2 employed a large staff producing weapon components etc. Later 'Hamilton Engineering' was established in Christchurch in 1948, but for some time Bill remained at the Station where he ultimately developed and perfected the Hamilton Jet Boat. Our member George Calder, Auto Engineer of Hoon Hay, Christchurch, worked for some years at Hamilton Engineering in Christchurch, thus establishing one more link between Irishman Creek Station, Bentleys and VCC. With Bill Hamilton's wife being a sister to Lucy Wills there has always been a strong association between Timaru Bentleys and Irishman Creek Station. Over many years the long established annual Queen's Birthday Weekend Irishman Creek VCC Rally has attracted many enthusiastic participants from far and wide, who initially used to be accommodated on the Station. Although they still visit the Station they now stay at other venues such as Fairlie or Kimbell. The photograph shows Lucy Wills beside NX3464.

Chassis NX3464. Reg. OB1929. 1929 4½ Litre
Purchased new by Lucy Wills of Tekapo Station in 1929, this car was taken to Snowdon Station, Mid Canterbury, in 1946 when Lucy and J. LeCren left Tekapo Station, due to it being flooded when Lake Tekapo was raised. This Bentley remains at Snowdon Station today with the current owners, Tony Tripp and his wife Nikki Tripp (LeCren).

Chassis 1063 3 Litre Tourer

Owned by Marjorie LeCren of Tekapo Station and later Snowdon Station, Mid Canterbury, this car came to Tekapo Station in the 1930s and at one stage was trucked. Later it was sold to Beaches who in turn sold it about 1954 to Mike Haggitt of Dunedin, under whose ownership it was converted back to a tourer. When sold later to Allan Bramwell it was exported to the UK.

Chassis 348. Engine 353. 3 Litre Tourer

This early 3 L was originally owned by Wardell Brothers of Dunedin. In 1957 Don Oddie of Timaru purchased it from the Studholme family of Rangitata, and about 1959 sold it to John Kennedy of Dunedin. Later this car was owned by Trevor Timms, who later sold it to Edgar Ridgen of Greendale, Canterbury, seen here attending to a battery problem? This Bentley is now owned by Edgar Ridgen's daughter Katie Parish.

Chassis ST3008. 4½ Litre Tourer

After selling (4) the early 3LTourer, Don Oddie purchased this 4.5L from Russell Beach and in 1963 sold it to Jim Sullivan of Otaio, south of Timaru. Initially this car, the seventh 4½ Litre to be manufactured, had been imported into NZ by a Nelson doctor. Later it was sold by Jim Sullivan's estate to Warner Mauger of Christchurch, who after a few years sold it overseas. In this photograph an overseas visitor, Jerry Carver, is at the wheel.

Chassis 891 Engine 908 Reg. DS3467. Van den Plas Replica Tourer Body. 1924

Originally imported into NZ in 1933, this car was dismantled following a major accident. In 1960 when looking longingly at (5) ST3008, the 4½ Litre then owned by Don Oddie, a young Timaru lad named Barry Goodman remarked, "One day I will own a Bentley." Those who laughed were mistaken, as over the next few years Barry with his older brother Brian managed to borrow, beg or buy enough parts by 1963 to complete the restoration of this 1924 3 Litre Tourer in 1965. Initially jointly owned, the car was owned by Barry until 1977 and by Brian until 1986, During Brian's ownership it participated in the 1983 'Totally Bentley Tour of South Africa', and is currently owned by M. Owen of Cranmer Square, Christchurch. This photograph shows Brian Goodman with his family on board Ch891 at Stirling Point, Bluff.

Chassis SL3065. 4½ Litre / 3Litre Tourer

This 3L which had been rebuilt by Dave Bowman of Christchurch, was purchased about 1980 by Terry Wilson of Timaru from Bob Beardsley of Christchurch. Later sold to Brian Wright of Christchurch who installed a 4.5L engine, it is currently owned by R M Moody of Picton. This photograph shows Barry Goodman at the wheel.