Bentleys in India

[travancore]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Rearbhanga: B64MR / 3657 / 2D Drop head / Nov 1938
This must be BRG 484 Vanden Plas body in Delhi (I did so much for this car but never recorded its details , most of the work I did in 1997/98 in partial agony from slipped discs in my back wearing a neck collar trying to oblige the owner and his manager who was rather impatiant at the time.. he was otherwise a wonderful person, very involved with the cars there, who I will never forget, he passed away about a year later. This car has many bitter and sweet memories for me as he had become a friend of my family also). To whom to tell these details, they lie heavily never to be forgotten......

I wonder if the 3 1/2 litres have survived?

Here is a picture of B64MR (has anyone been able to confirm if this car is indeed "BRG-484" ?)

May even be the original green as listed in the VDP cars list by Julian (in the Miscellaneous Cars thread)

source: Bentley The 1938/1939 Overdrive Cars by Mervyn Frankel & Ian Strang

[Julian UK]

Originally Posted by travancore

Here is a picture of B64MR (has anyone been able to confirm

I have the car number engraved on my vertibrae and spent about 9-10 months working on it, with the Bentley chassis number and number plates in front of my eyes. What do you require a stone tablet engraved in blood? It was the original paint when I first saw it. The car had been fitted with new imported tyres then it sat for a few years by which time the tyres had all cracked completely... and had to be replaced once again. Expensive business.

[karlosdeville]

Just as eye candy, here is a similarly bodied car.

[awini]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Just as eye candy, here is a similarly bodied car.

aah, FUU 600, aka "honeysuckle" she was for sale some years ago,wonder who owns her now.... i remember the pale green on BRG 484, i might have a pic somewhere with me in the car, in late 1987 or early 1988, i wish the old paint had been retained, i liked it far better than the current green, it even had silver badges of the darbangha coat of arms, on the doors, which have since been removed

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by awini

aah, FUU 600, aka "honeysuckle" she was for sale some years ago,wonder who owns her now.

Honeysuckle came up for auction more recently as well as I remember. I too dont know the current whereabouts though.

[Julian UK]

A 30s Bentley 3 ½ or 4 ¼ litre in a Calcutta rally.
Flickr Photo Download: Classic Bentley

[Julian UK]

Just for general Bentley interest:





Source prehistoric Flying Lady magazine

[Julian UK]

What happened to the Oberoi Derby Bentley 4 1/4 that used to come to the Delhi rally in the 80s/90s? Any pictures anyone?

[travancore]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Just for general Bentley interest:

Attachment 11929

"Fastback" Bentleys are kind of charming (ye Julian, I know they are not "real" if post-1931 )


==========================
Below is a "Bahawalpur" 1935 derby Bentley by Barker (3 1/2 ??) - Chassis # B32EF
(courtesy: Garage de Vaal, Netherlands)
Here is the link: http://www.prewarcar.com/show_prewar...p?car_id=44650

Looks remarkably like the car posted by Julian above

[Julian UK]

Looks very similar but the Bahawalpur car's roof line looks lower and its side window's height seems less. Despite the rear wheel spats the rear mudguard line looks different. Nice car though.

[Julian UK]

Pardon my indulgence but this most wonderful and inviting VCCCP photo really does belong here also

[Alvis]

I used to see this lovely 3 litre on the road in Karachi virtually being used as a daily driver by a Mr. Dinshaw. circa 1974/5. He did collect quite an inventory of parts as he wanted to restore the car over a period of time.
Sadly family issues led to the car sinking to this sad state.

[Julian UK]

If only at least it could be stored adequately ready for whoever is able to look after it in the future. It looks like its outside. Probably the damage has already occured.

[Julian UK]

This interesting article from “Motor Sport” 1945 by Major C.A.H. relating his motoring experiences in India and refers to several cars. The tales of Quetta and Karachi should interest Alvis.
A 1924 Bentley 3 litre chassis 443 in Poona (car now in UK).
In Quetta the article mentions one of the first 4 ¼ litre cars, a 1927/28 open Vanden Plas (maybe this was 1928 Chassis no SL 3072? Parts were sent to India in 1934 for this car) but the engine is now in another car.
He mentions a 1931 4 ¼ with an open body and a 1922 3 litre chassis 62 with the single Smiths carburettor that was sold for scrap in 1943
The writer owned the 1925 Rolls Royce 20hp GPK71 (first owner Col. Minchin), which now belongs to Tata and is feautured in post 99 of the Rolls Royce thread, The one they are calling a Silver Ghost for reasons best known to themselves.
He also buys a 1926 Bentley 3 litre chassis DE1208 (In 2006 it was in Switzerland).
Vintage Bentley article :: The Vintage in India (July 1945)

This article from “The Motor” 1926 is about the 1926 Bentley 6 ½ litre 2 Seater Thrupp and Maberly of the Nawab of Bhopal WB2563 with its
11 lights, 4 batteries, teak dashboard and a wood grain oil finished body
Vintage Bentley article :: The Nawab of Bhopal's Game Hunting Car (September 1926)
Click on the pages to read the whole articles.

[DKG]

Of the machines that graced India the following come to mind as being the most outstanding examples:

Bhopal Mercedes SS
Bhopal Bentley 6 1/2
Holkar Duesy
Orchha Cadillac
Vizianagaram RR

I'm sure many more could be added but somehow I am stuck with these 5

If I were asked to pick just one car it would be the Bhopal SS