1923 Bentley 3 Litre - Chassis No. 288

 

My grandfather R.D. Walker purchased HR 9091 in 1928. It was originally registered as a 3-litre Vanden Plas body No 3235 long wheel base all weather car, Chassis 288, Engine no 288 by Maj/Brigadier General George I. Palmer, of Berryfield, Bradford on Avon in July. Registered as grey and black.

 

The details I have is that B. H. Dodds, of Overdale, Cavendish Road East, The Park Nottingham bought the car. It then moved to Bernard Roy Wilkinson, of Radcliffe on Trent, in Nottinghamshire and then my grandfather R. D Walker of Ruddington.

 

 

According to my father (who has since died -- all this came about when Father was in his late 70's+) it was purchased from a Capt Shepperd, a flying instructor at airfield in Hucknall. Father believes it cost £200 plus a Sharon Laycock coupe. My aunt, also dead, said that the owner was going abroad hence the sale. It was then a lovely shade of pale green.

 

Around 1930 my grandfather brought a new body which was maroon and black. (I have a note which says it might have been a Mullinier body, but then another note which talks of a devandre body(?)) Father thought it had been ordered for someone in India or the Arabian countries but they never took delivery of it. The car was used for my aunt's sister wedding around 1937 but I have details of it being in the ownership of John Wadsworth of Wyke Green, Isleworth in 1938.

 

 

I have asked various friends in the Bentley Club if they can tell me whether "my" Bentley is dead or alive. DVLA are not prepared to tell me whether the number is in circulation or not.

 

Any help you can give me would be much appreciated. I do not want to purchase the car (can't afford to, having seen one made £5 million in the paper, June 29). I have asked in Australia if anyone has the car but to no avail.

 

I look forward to hearing from you in due course - and good luck in trying to find my car.