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Index |
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Trans-European
camping road trip
in a 1926 Bentley
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By Dave
S. Clark
As published in "TravelDriveRace.com", January
29, 2013
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Setting
up camp with the Bentley |
When one thinks about doing a camping
trip of a life time a 4100-km grand tour of Europe
they think long and hard about what type of car
they should take on such a journey. They may think of
taking a VW Westfalia or a Volvo wagon. Maybe even a
small SUV. What doesnt come to anyones mind
is taking an antique Bentley.
Well, nobody except Anthony Belcher.
Most people probably base the decision on what car to
take based on fuel consumption, leg room, comfort and
reliability. They would not come up with a 1925 Bentley
Vanden Plas bodied tourer.
But that didnt stop Anthony from starting up the
three-litre
motor that was nearly 90 years old, packing up a
tent in the trunk and hitting the open road with his
wife, Ros. The six-week long trip from their home in
Britain, to eastern France, then to Belgium, Luxembourg,
Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Then theyd head
back to the south of France then to Calais and finally
back home.
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Just outside
St. Moritz, Switzerland |
The short-chassis Bentley is very original,
still keeping the factory body and Smith five-jet carburetor.
Many cars have been coverted to Le Mans-bodied replicas
and most owners also change over to Sloper carbs, but
not this example.
Anthony purchased it 2004 from Beaulieu Garage in Hampshire
and it was a runner, but a bit of a project.
"Mechanically it sounded dreadful with knocks bangs
and splutters, but above all this, it had that charisma
that you only get from driving a vintage Bentley. I
just had to buy it warts and all," Anthony
recalls.
He drove the car for about two years
until he remembers hearing his 18-year-old son shout
"Conrod!" after hearing a bang in the engine.
He immediately shut off the engine and it was in fact
a broken connecting rod, which meant it was time for
an expensive rebuild. It would be off the road for six
months, but in that time, there was a two-week road
trip planned to Devon and Cornwall.
With the Bentley in the shop, what do you do? Rent a
car? Nonsense! You take your 1926 Austin Twelve. He
had previously taken a camping trip to France in his
TVR Taimar, so this wouldnt be that difficult.
Despite rainy weather, there were no problems and the
Austin held up.
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With the rebuilt engine running smoothly in the Bentley,
the next year the couple were off to France again for
another big trip. They stayed in small hotels and guest
houses and when they returned, Anthony had an idea.
He could buy a tent for £50, stuff it in the back
of the Bentley and even if they got one nights
stay out of it, it would have paid for itself.
And ever since, theyve been camping more and more
with every trip, which culminated into the massive trip
across Europe last September.
The rare car has now not only changed how they travel,
it defines it. Imagine pulling into a campsite and seeing
the rare and expensive classic. Beside it, a little
blue tent.
Its travelling in the Bentley which makes
our holiday. People are always happy to see us and constantly
want to know about the car. We have arrived at several
campsites and been applauded by all the other campers
as we make our way to find our pitch for the night,
said Anthony. They all want to take photographs
and talk about the car before we have a chance to put
the tent and get ourselves organized for the night.
They, without exception, always wait to see us off in
the following morning shouting a cheery bon voyage.
Its great fun something you certainly would not
get travelling in a more modern car.
So how did the very vintage Bentley hold up for a six-week
journey that stretched nearly 2,600 miles? It wasnt
without its hiccups, but it made it back without any
major issues. A switch for the brake lights failed,
which caused the lights to stay on constantly, so they
were disconnected instead. The engine got a bit hot
from time to time as it climbed through mountain passes
in the Swiss Alps, but that just meant Anthony had to
take a few pit stops to let the engine cool for a few
moments.
Overall, Anthony was very happy with the Bentleys
performance and cant wait for the next European
road trip!
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First Published
in "TravelDriveRace.com", January 29, 2013
Posted here on Feb 05, 2013 |
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photograph received from Simon Hunt for Chassis No. RL3439 |
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Dick Clay for Chassis No. 147 |
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Sep 29, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Ernst Jan Krudop for his Chassis No. AX1651 |
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Sep 28, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Lars Hedborg
for his Chassis No. KL3590 |
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Sep 25, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. XV 3207 |
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Sep 24, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. YM 7165 |
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[More] |
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CLUB TALK
Upcoming Vintage Bentley Events |
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