GENTLY WITH THIS BENTLEY

In 1922 John Duff took delivery of his 3.0L Bentley tourer (Chassis #141), with body by Park Ward, and was so impressed with the performance, he promptly entered the car in the very first 24 Hours of Le Mans the following year.

John Duff 1928

Foolhardy? Hardly. John Duff was born in China to English missionary parents, and travelled overland to enlist in the British Army in the First World War. After the war he became a prize-winning showjumper, and an outstanding fencing champion. In fact it was Duff who taught swashbuckling actor Errol Flynn how to handle a sword in the movies.

Recognising his limited racing experience, he approached W.O. Bentley for financial and technical assistance, and was greeted with a terse reply:

“I think the whole thing is crazy. Nobody’ll finish. Cars aren’t designed to stand that sort of strain for 24 Hours.”

John Duff and Frank Clement before 'the off'

However, WO could obviously see some potential if his Bentley did well, so he agreed to allow his test driver and engineer, Frank Clement, to accompany Duff as co-driver.

In addition, Bentley and his sales manager, Mr. Hillstead, drove together to Le Mans to watch the race, afterwards WO declaring: “By midnight I was quite certain that this was the best race I had ever seen.”

Fuel tank repair, mid-race

John Duff 1923

Duff and Clement finished 4^th, despite rupturing the fuel tank, which was quickly repaired, and then they went on to establish the lap record.

The following year, W.O. Bentley  supported the private entry, in the second 24 Hour race, with Duff and Clement taking the chequered flag.

That first victory was followed by four more at the world’s most famous endurance race, and it’s clear that whilst race wins at Le Mans put Bentley on the map, Bentley almost certainly did for the same for Le Mans.

On a historical note, of all the brands which have ever entered the race, only two marques survive to this day, Bentley and Bugatti.

Peter Briggs and friends in #141

Chassis 141 is now owned by Australian collector Peter Briggs, of Perth, Western Australia, and he will be showing the car at the 2017 Hampton Court Palace Concours d’Elegance.

HRH Prince Michael of Kent

This high-brow event has captured a lot of attention in three years, and its patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, presides over one of the most glamorous Concours events on the calendar.

This year’s event, in the grounds of the magnificent Hampton Court Palace, will be held on September 1-3.

Friends of mine who are regular attendees tell me it’s the essence of elegance.













*Note: Experts suggest Chassis #141 is worth between USD$4.5 million to USD$5 million, because of its originality and excellent preservation.