Philip Lane is the present owner of XT 4001.

Abridge Essex England.

This car was bought by Philip Lane in April 2008.

Update: Stanley Mann notes that this is as original red label speed model "in great mechanical fettle" and still with the original VDP coachwork. He says that the history of this car shows one owner for some 40 odd years and the owners before "were an interesting bunch of chaps". Stanley Mann shares bits from the car's history file - "One (owner) was a Battle of Britain pilot who had this Bentley at that time, then he'd sell to two other WWII pilots… You will notice an ally plate on the body where the driver can rest his arm. So the story goes this is made from a piece of Messerschmitt 109 fuselage because the tunic of the pilot kept scratching the body with its buttons…"

Registration Number: XT 4001; Chassis Number: 563; Engine Number: 473

This car is up for sale again after two years. While on sale in April 2006, the Stanley Mann Racing website had noted that the car had had a "top drawer restoration by James E Pearce (Ground up "Chassis Off" job 2000-2002)". Stanley Mann had said, "all mechanical components were checked and rebuilt where necessary by Sargents of Goudhurst. The body was removed during the restoration and although still original due to age most of her timbers were replaced and in fact the ally body was re-skinned at this time. The paint is superb and the re-trim just perfection."

The description accompanying the current sale remains the same as the above, apart from quoting a much higher amount spent on restoration.

Finally, Stanley Mann says, "… this Bentley Speed model drives exceptionally well and sounds the part."

All the photographs displayed for this car at the Stanley Mann Racing website as of Mar 31, 2008 were the same as the ones shown in April 2006.

XT 4001 at Le Mans for her 70th birthday.

RAF West Malling in Kent

The following information was received (on May 2, 2011) from Philip Lane, present owner of Chassis 563:

"I can ID the left one this Mr Oscar William Hindley Cooke.He purchased the car in June 1927. He worked for The De Havilland Aircraft Co at Stag Lane Airfield Edgeware Middlesex. He was the publicity manager his job was to make the most through the media at the time to show the world what famous people were buying planes at the time. He did mingle with some Bentley known names at the time, Mr Ivor McClure for one of the directors of the A A (??). He and Mr Oliver Tapper flew on the 11/06 27 to France in his D.H. 60 Moth reg G-EBRU to assist the Bentley team racing that weekend, also flying at the same time was Capt Eric Hayes in his Moth reg No. G-EBQW. His passenger was W O Bentley. The picture shows Mr Cooke collecting petrol for a long trip. I also note the car has a G.B. badge on the back to confirm it had been abroad. I'd love to think it was being driven to Le Mans. The Bentley sevice record shows a large engine rebuild in February 1927 and clutch adjust on the 9 June 1927. Mr Cooke served in WW2 as a Flight Liuetenant in the R.A.F. until 1948."

"Original Bentley records show that Phillip Rhodes of Montagu Place, Montagu Square takes delivery. Spec states chassis no 563, engine no 576, 14/53 rear axle ratio, 1924 speed. Guarantee expires 19.4.1929."

"The Bentley record I have gives all the owners up to 1940 ending with a flying officer, A. Zweigbergk at the Officers Mess, RAF South Cerney, Gloucester. It also lists every job done on the car from 1924-1940."

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1924: In April 1924 the car was purchased by Mr. Phillip Rhodes, Manchester Cotton Mill owner from Montagu Place, Montagu Square London.

It is worth noting that Mr. Rhodes also purchased chassis no. 373 in Jan 1924; my car #563 in April 1924; #871 in Dec 1924; #WB2559 in March 1926; #BX2407 in June 1927; #BR2364 in April 1928 and KF2388 in Jan 1929 — clearly as obsessed with these cars as we all are.

1926: In March 1926, Chassis no. 563 got a new owner, Mr. H.H. Duncan of 42, Evelyn Gardens Kensington and the Headlands Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall.

1927: In August 1927 the car was bought by O.W.H. Cooke of Stag Lane aerodrome, Edgeware, Middlesex.

1931: Mr. E.N.B. Jeffery purchased this car in October 1931. Address: 6 Pear Close, Hay Lane, NW London.

1933: 1933 saw the next owner -- Mr. H.G. Nelson Thornlea of 19 Wardle Rd, Sale. Cheshire.

1935: In 1935 the car was acquired O.L. Wilding-Jones Hampton of Old Hall, Malpas Cheshire.

1936: Miss V. Cattell Bradfield, House Lapworth Nr Birmingham purchased the car in 1936.

1938: In 1938 the owner was R.C. Perry Kings, Lynn Norfolk.

1940: In 1940 Sqd Ldr Anthony Zweigbergk was owner of this car.

1943: Flying officer Hugh Palmer.

1947: Hugh Clifford. Hugh was a motorcycle dealer in Lancashire and a keen racer, he did race in the T.T. race in the early 1950s on Triumph bikes, later in the 1950s he raced Cooper Bristol cars. I had heard that xt 4001 towed a motor bike trailer, did not believe it until i got the enclosed picture (can anyone I. D. the bike, it looks like a grasstrack or speedway)

1951: August 1951, Jack Leeson & Partners

1951: Dec 24, 1951, Edward Jenkins had an R.A.C. report done

1952: Edward Jenkins bought the car on Jan 12, 1952. Picture of invoice for £300 above; also picture of invoice for engine work and paint work.

1956: Lieutenant colonel D.J. May Royal Artillary & his brother lieutenant commander E.R. May Royal Navy.

1961: P J Stanier

1963: Robert Watkins

Aug 2000: Robert Brown, had a complete restoration done by James E Pearce West Sussex

June 2006: John Gibson

April 2008: Philip Lane