It is to be noted that Michael (Clare) Hay's Bentley: The Vintage Years (1997) presents only the bare-bones information for 3-litre Chassis 102. This includes Engine no. 106, delivery date June 1922, first owner C.H. Deakin, but no Registration number and nothing about the Coachbuilder or type of Body. It is listed as 'S' type of car (9' 9 1/2" wheelbase, low compression engine, single Smith carburettor). In the same book, for Chassis 708, Michael (Clare) Hay writes that it was last heard of in 1946 and "rebuilt on new frame 5/30 after accident".

The photo shows a chassis chasing its original engine!

Additionally, Chassis KM3089 also seems to be involved in this maze. As Detlef shared: i) "The engine could be number 3088 because the steering box is clearly marked as KM 3089 which was part of this engine." ii) The presence of a 1950 photo along with VintageBentleys.org reader Chris Card's comment, "The photo shows a chassis chasing its original engine." That is, Chassis KM 3089, Reg MKN 841 is chasing Syd Lawrence's car which has KM 3089's original engine no. 3088. Of course, all this is supported by Hay's priceless notes in Bentley: The Vintage Years: "Chassis KM 3089 built into HF 3185 - see KM 3089. Eng KM 3088 in VMF 944 ch?"

It's a lot to figure out, and in the meanwhile we have had VintageBentleys.org reader Alan Giles send us this: "Although Bentley ch. no. 708 may no longer be in existence, I have the Axle nose piece which was obtained from T.P. Breen Ltd, car breakers in the early 1960s which presumably may have been fitted to the car as original equipment. See photos attached [1] [2] where the chassis and ratio 708 15/53 can be seen stamped on the top flange".

Summing up: After nearly seven decades of being known as a 'Special' with a somewhat indeterminate chassis number (102/50ML), VMF 944 has been sold as W.O.'s Chassis no. 708. What is the procedure for such re-christening, other than publishing these sacred numbers in the Car For Sale pages?

There is a need to dig for history relating to Chassis 708. Thanks to Michael (Clare) Hay we know it was invloved in an accident in 1930 but was last heard of as late as 1946. That's 22 years of being around. Also, whatever happened to Chassis 102 after it was delivered to the first owner, C.H. Deakin! There has to be some written word on these cars in the annals of Vintage Bentley history. It will take us a while yet to get to it — our floor-to-ceiling collection of literature, books and magazines with much Vintage Bentley between the pages could answer many questions. Ah, the bane of non-digitised information...

But there are so many stars among you. We invite our knowledgeable readers, experts and historians to help unravel this. What is the real involvement of Chassis no. 102 or Chassis 708 with this car? How much of the Syd Lawrence Special is a 'Vintage Bentley'? Or is it exactly what it says it is — a Special built by Syd Lawrence.

We look forward to hearing from you. E-mail us.