Huge congratulations to Trevor Kells whose superbly well restored 1936 4½ Litre Tourer, clothed in eye-catching Vanden Plas bodywork, was named as the overall Concours winner at the BDC's 76th Summer Concours.
The event was held yesterday in the idyllic rural surroundings of the 65-acre Walton Hall country estate in Warwickshire.
A delighted Northern Ireland-based Trevor (pictured with wife Hilary) was presented with the prestigious WO Bentley Memorial Foundation Trophy by Kathy Warner, wife of Club Chairman Mike, in front of the Grade II-listed, 16th century mansion.
Well done, too, to Trevor’s fellow Club Member James Clough whose superb 1961 S2 Four-Door Saloon won the coveted Bentley Motors Trophy, also presented by Kathy, as the overall Patina class winner.
In all, 17 awards were presented in the various Concours and Patina classes along with the Inter-Regional Team Challenge accolade (see list of winners, below).
Past Club President Jimmy Medcalf enjoyed the distinction of claiming three awards with his magnificent 1924 3/4½ Litre Vanden Plas: the P&A Wood Trophy (best amateur owner restored car) and the Daks Trophy (Master Class); Jimmy’s car was also part of the three-strong Eastern Region team, alongside daughter Carol (2018 Continental GT W12) and Brian Rivett (1936 Derby 4¼ Vanden Plas), which claimed the Kensington Gardens Trophy (Inter-Regional Team Challenge).
Graham Barrett also took home two prizes with his lovely 1956 S1 Continental Mulliner/Park Ward Fastback: the Frank Dale Trophy (best R or S Type Continental) and Ivor Gordon Trophy (best Mk VI, R or S Type).
Concours day was generally overcast but warm, with the sun making a welcome appearance in time for the awards presentation in mid afternoon. The event attracted a turnout of around 170 Bentleys, carrying Club Members, their families, friends and guests.
The day provided, as it always does, a wonderful opportunity for friends to catch up and socialise within a quintessentially English garden-party atmosphere – the ambience greatly enhanced by the tranquil sounds of the Lincoln Noel jazz quartet.
Twenty-two beautiful Bentleys of all ages were judged in the myriad Concours categories and visitors were able to take a close look at these to decide which were their favourites.
Complementing the judged cars was a wonderful selection of almost 30 Members’ Derbys, collated by Club Director Bernard Walker. The cars were on display throughout the weekend, with Derby expert Jeremy Marshall Roberts conducting an informed commentary on the Sunday. A busy Jeremy also provided a fascinating ‘Cars on TV’ talk in the Hall.
To take a break from the serious business of looking over all the fantastic Bentleys lined up in the main field, Members and guests were able to take in the many delights offered by the opulent estate, with several enjoying a delicious hot buffet lunch in the Hall.
Adding extra touches to the day were the WOBMF marquee, featuring a rare 1930 6½ Litre and a display celebrating the 2024 centenary of Bentley's first win at Le Mans, and the busy Club Shop. The Club was also pleased to welcome traders Bentley specialists P&A Wood, Frank Dale & Stepsons and RR&B Garages, classic and vintage car specialists Fiskens, Bentley artist Dawn Bosley and Sterling Lee Auto Art.
The weekend’s activities kicked off with Tom Commander’s enjoyable 60-mile driving tour, starting and finishing at Walton Hall and including a lunch stop en route, followed by a sumptuous black-tie gala dinner (preceded by a drinks reception on the Walton Hall terrace) for 160 Members and guests held in the Hall’s Moncrieffe Room.
AWARD WINNERS
Best in Show – WO Bentley Memorial Foundation Trophy: Trevor Kells (1936 4½ Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas)
Patina Class overall winner – Bentley Motors Trophy: James Clough (1961 S2 Four-Door Saloon)
Concours class
President’s Trophy – Vintage: Trevor Kells (1936 4½ Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas)
RA Parker Trophy – Crewe T Type, Turbo, Brooklands, Eight and Continental: Oliver Eaton (2003 Azure Final Series)
HR Owen Trophy – Crewe modern: Rahmeez Younas (2016 Mulsanne EWB)
P&A Wood Trophy – amateur-owner restored: Jimmy Medcalf (1924 3/4½ Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas)
Daks Trophy (Master class) – Concours class winner in past three years: Jimmy Medcalf (1924 3/4½ Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas)
WAL Cook Trophy – Derby 3½ and 4¼: Peter Morris (1938 4¼ Saloon by Park Ward)
Ivor Gordon Trophy – Crewe Mk VI, R Type and S Type: Graham Barrett (1956 S1 Continental Fastback by Mulliner/Park Ward)
Patina class
Vintage Spares Scheme Trophy – open and saloon Vintage: Stephen Forsey (1924 3 Litre Coupé by Park Ward)
Derby Technical Scheme Trophy – open and saloon Derby: Michael Barton (1935 3½ by Gurney Nutting)
Crewe Spares Scheme Trophy – open and saloon Crewe 1 (early period): James Clough (1961 S2 Four-Door Saloon)
Britannia Motors Trophy – open and saloon Crewe 2 (later period): Harry Johnson (1997 Continental T)
Varley Trophy – open and saloon Crewe 3 (most modern): Malcolm Hobbs (2010 Continental GTC Supersports)
Specials Trophy: Not awarded
Other
Frank Dale & Stepsons Trophy – R Type or S Type Continental: Graham Barrett (1956 S1 Continental Fastback by Mulliner/Park Ward)
Ayres Trophy – Mk VI or R Type coachbuilt body: Fred Kriz (1953 R Type Coupé by Abbott)
Kensington Gardens Trophy (Inter-Regional Team Challenge) – best three-car team: Eastern Region (1924 3/4½ Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas – Jimmy Medalf, 1936 Derby 4¼ by Vanden Plas – Brian Rivett and 2018 Continental GT W12 – Carol Medcalf)
• Full report with images in October's Review
Image: Courtesy of Steve Shelley