[guBulawayo]

Hi All – I am new to this forum, my main interest is Rolls-Royce and Bentley in Africa, a few of which have come from India.


One of interest at present is a Derby Bentley, chassis B104EF, which was in Calcutta in the 1940s and 50s owned by Cren Sandys-Lumsdaine, who was a founder member of the Calcutta Motor Sports Club. The car was used a lot for racing in the 1950s and is believed to have won the 1956 Culcutta Grand Prix – The car was later owned by Cren in Kenya. The car was registered WBD-653 in India.


I wonder if any Members have any entry lists for any of the Culcutta Grand Prix of this period or any other races in the area that may show this car as an entry. I believe the car was also used in a 12 mile Hill Climb but I have no idea of the name or location of this.


I would also like to try find some photographs of the car racing in Culcutta.


Many thanks

Wayne M. Kennerley
Wales, UK
Member: Bentley Drivers Club; Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club and VCC of South Africa

[shankar.balan]

Welcome aboard sir! Off topic, isn't Bulawayo somewhere in Rhodesia now Zimbabwe? Nice handle you've chosen! Shall watch this thread with interest as I love old classics and would like to know more!

[karlosdeville]

Welcome aboard Wayne, nice to have you here.

From the top of my hat I do not recall the car you mention being featured on the forum before, but I'm sure some leads will turn up shortly.

In the mean time can you share some recent pictures of the car with us? While searching online for some I came across this link, showing the original body up for sale.

Historics at Brooklands - Specialist Classic and Sports Car Auctioneers - 1935 Derby Bentley Saloon Body by Park Ward

[guBulawayo]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Welcome aboard sir! Off topic, isn't Bulawayo somewhere in Rhodesia now Zimbabwe? Nice handle you've chosen! Shall watch this thread with interest as I love old classics and would like to know more!

Yes indeed, I was born in Bulawayo -

[guBulawayo]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

In the mean time can you share some recent pictures of the car with us? While searching online for some I came across this link, showing the original body up for sale.

Thanks - I don't have anything showing the car at present unfortunately, I was at the BDC Archives earlier this week but the current or recent owner is not a member of the club. Thanks for the link, I had seen the body was for sale, a pity they replaced it as the saloon body looks fine to me.

Pic below shows the car the the 12 mile hill climb, photo with thanks from Gillem Sandys-Lumsdaine.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by guBulawayo

One of interest at present is a Derby Bentley, chassis B104EF, which was in Calcutta in the 1940s and 50s owned by Cren Sandys-Lumsdaine, who was a founder member of the Calcutta Motor Sports Club. The car was used a lot for racing in the 1950s and is believed to have won the 1956 Culcutta Grand Prix – The car was later owned by Cren in Kenya. The car was registered WBD-653 in India.


I wonder if any Members have any entry lists for any of the Culcutta Grand Prix of this period or any other races in the area that may show this car as an entry. I believe the car was also used in a 12 mile Hill Climb but I have no idea of the name or location of this.


I would also like to try find some photographs of the car racing in Culcutta.

Better late than never



This was just posted at the link below

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vinta...-1965-a-5.html (Indian Motor Sport pre 1965)

Apparently, a while ago someone contacted T-bhp about a Bentley Saloon which they now own, and which was raced in India sometime in the 1950's.

I was told about this while rummaging through my stuff with our dear T-bhpian Karl who spotted this in an old magazine and suggested that I put this up. So here it is, the Bentley Saloon which raced in and around Calcutta. This photo is from 1952/53. The Bentley was dark green in colour.

The owner at that time was a Mr. C. C. Sandys-Lumsdaine who was also the president of the Calcutta Motor Sports Club.

I believe that the car been subsequently re-bodied. I have enlarged the section of the photo showing the Bentley for a bigger picture.

Looking forward to some feedback and additional information.

Cheers harit