Retromobile, February 2014

May 22, 2014: Sold

1931 Bentley 8 Litre
Chassis: YF5015

Chassis YF5015 was delivered to none other than Francis Victor du Pont. Though part of the family chemical dynasty, Francis was the President of the Equitable Trust Company and U.S. Highways Commissioner in his own right.

H.J. Mulliner bodied the greatest number of 8 Litres – 23 in total – and YF5015 is one these, clothed in handsome panelled Weymann Saloon coachwork.

Sold by the Du Pont family in 1948, YF5015 eventually found a long-term home in the world-renowned Harrah Collection in Reno, Nevada. A quarter of a century later it returned to British shores for the first time since its creation.

Driven fleetingly over its 83-year existence and benefitting from careful custodianship, YF5015 has remained in terrific condition and recently enjoyed a world-class restoration. Indeed, confirmation of its quality and importance came in the form of an invitation to the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

With fewer than 80 of Bentley’s greatest road car thought to have survived these last eight decades, YF5015 represents the rare opportunity for a discerning collector to invest in arguably the best H.J. Mulliner-bodied example extant.

"The car was at Pebble Beach last year an it won two awards, one for the best car of its category and the other for the best English car of the show. Pictured in the the photo are Federico and his daughter, Josefina."

"Engine and chassis totally original. Completely restored with and incredible level of perfection details. Great driving experience."

"I bought this car in 2006 in England from P&A Wood. It was fully restored in Argentina during the last 6 years. All the beauty, body and paint was done by Jorge Sica. The engine was made by Jorge Martucci. And the tapestry was made by Bruno Andreozzi. For me, these are the three best craftsmen out there at the moment in the country. The missing parts (headlights, instruments, etc) — got them on various trips to England. Here are the lastest pictures."

Auto Classica, 2010

This car is now in Argentina and is undergoing restoration. It is owned by Federico Alvarez Castillo.

This car was purchased by Federico Alvarez Castillo in 2006.

These photos were taken by me at P&A Wood in England on Oct. 22, 2006 when trying out this car for possible purchase. It rained heavily. I did not buy the car and when my brother later went to have a look it was sold a day or two before he came.

These photos were taken by me at P&A Wood in England on Oct. 20, 2006.

Photograph was taken during the South-East Region Annual General Meeting in 2004.

Owned by Bill Harrah (for many years exhibited at the Harrah Collection in Reno, Nevada).

Owner was D. W. Dangler of the U.S.A.

Owner was D. C. Peck of the U.S.A.

The original owner, F. V. du Pont, was probably Francis Victor du Pont of the Chemical industry family.