One family ownership of 82 years - Chassis No. 1155

 

Hamish Bowie: "After WW2 my dad Harold Bowie bought our Bentley from my Uncle Hamish. Father ran her throughout the 50s into the early 60s as an everyday car. He maintained her himself with my assistance. My uncle had fitted her with a Talbot saloon body in 1937 and was it a practical, if noisy saloon that went well.

 

Every year dad drove us to Aberdeen on holiday. She broke down once near Lockerby about 1956. The engine developed a clatter and misfire. We were near Lockerby so the Bluebell garage towed her in. We stayed overnight in the Bluebell Hotel situated next to the garage.

 

A piston had lost its crown. They were lightweight Bentley drilled pistons fitted by the factory in 1929 during a refit. Bob Grant of Dumfries, later to become a friend, supplied a piston. Dad hired a Morris Oxford saloon. I think it must have been a side valve because father complained that it was gutless and could barely do 60 unlike the old Bent. On the way back from Aberdeen dad dropped the Morris off at the Bluebell Garage and we went home in the old car fitted with the replacement piston. Later he treated her to a rebore and a new set of matching, if rather heavy, Hepolite pistons and four new valves."

 

1950 Bell Lane Northfield Birmingham. Hamish Bowie on extreme right.

 

This car has been in the same family since 1937. "Engine number and chassis number are still the same -- original car", says Kristi Bowie.