Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 – A World Class Concours on Lake Como

RREC Borneo Tour 2005

Christies Pebble Beach 1998

Photograph was taken at Pebble Beach Concour d'Elegance.

"I knew this car well in the 1960-1980s when owned by Alec N Hewett.

He had bought the unused rolling chassis from Capt Hewitt (note different spelling) in the late 1940s and had the car radiator lowered and body built. The engine was updated with triple SU's. The car was taken over by Alec's son Nigel, but he was I unable to afford to keep it.

Despite my best efforts to buy the car in the 1980s, it was sold via Stanley Mann to an American buyer. Subsequently the bodywork was altered (mainly the doors I think), paintwork changed from a 'dove' grey to a dark colour and external exhausts fitted.

Sadly while I have some photos during this period, they are not very good, perhaps with some digging in old boxes I might find something better. But the car was well known in the BDC in the 1950s and lots of good photos must be about. It competed in the Brighton Speed Trials (sorry I can't recall which year, circa 1954?)

"The 8 litre was purchased by my father Alec Hewett about 1950/1 in its delivery mode, plywood wings etc with the engine seized. The engine was worked on by Don McKenzie of Thornton Heath with Triple carb manifold inlet, high compression pistons, and a few mm shaved off the block. This made for a much more responsive car. The bodywork was designed by Alec and completed by Dotteridge Bros and I understand this was the only Vintage Bentley body they made as I believe the firm was closed shortly after!

The car was entered in the Brighton Speed Trials in the early 1950s and judging by the engraved pewter mugs did rather well. Firle Hill Climb was another favourite with Alec, again with satisfying results. I do know that it was his intention to tour with the car and he successfully covered the UK taking her to places with difficult access and crossing rivers etc on rather unstable ferries! Somewhere in the archives there are photos which I will dig out one day. John Murch was a good friend of mine and we have lost touch. Maybe he will see this and we can catch up."

This car was owned by Alec N Hewett from 1951 to 1984.

Chassis No. YX5125 was sold new to Captain Vivian Hewitt as a spare chassis for his Vanden Plas tourer YX5119. He sold it after the war and it was bodied by a commercial vehicle coachbuilder, Dottridge Brothers, with a 4-seater touring body with lowered radiator.

A 1931 Bentley 8 Litre.

This previously 'unidentified' vintage Bentley has been identified as Chassis No. YX5125 by Olle Ljungström.

Ljungström says, "Photograph probably 1950s at Kensington Gardens. The car has been fitted with triple carburettors."