A 4 ½ Le Mans which has been much enjoyed by its long term owner.
Very nicely kept and with an equally nicely documented history file.
JK 601 left Cricklewood in October 1928 to be bodied as a saloon by Messrs. H. J. Mulliner and underwent its final test by the works in January 1929.
There is a common misconception, that saloon bodies were thrown away in the 1980's and replaced with Le Mans style coachwork. That is in fact inaccurate. The majority of saloon bodies had disappeared within15 years of production. There were several reasons. The saloons fell out of fashion very quickly, in fact by the early 1930s, they were looking very dated. The bodywork became very creaky and rattly with use and, significantly, coachbuilders, were replacing horsehair with cotton waste which held moisture and degraded the Ash framework.
By 1948, the detailed history shows that JK 601was in the hands of enthusiastic owner Don McClure (previous owners are recorded from new) who had the body replaced by Brighton coachbuilders Aquamarine and in this sporting open format was raced by Don, taking first place and winning the coveted Birkin Trophy at Snetterton in 1953.
Subsequently raced by Dan MacIver in Singapore in the late 1950s, another 4½ litre engine was purchased and remains in JK601 today almost seventy years on.
The history file lists subsequent owners and maintenance records, as well as a period in the USA in the 1970s, returning to UK in the late 1990s with its fifty year old coachwork showing its age
Rebodied at this time by Stanley Mann into the current form, JK 601 presents extremely well today and has been much enjoyed by the current owners, who have thoughtfully provided, in addition to the detailed history file an account of the highs and lows (and there aren't many lows!) of their ownership including touring South Africa with the Bentley Drivers Club.
In summary, a nicely documented vintage Bentley, driving well ready to be enjoyed by its next owner and bringing with it best wishes from the current one.
Here with us at NDR, so make time for an appointment to view as there is lots to read about.
