1931 Bentley 8-Litre Vanden Plas-style four-seat tourer
- Engine
- 8.0L inline-six
- Colour
- Midnight Blue
Chassis YR5094 is the eleventh-to-last of one hundred Bentley 8-Litres constructed, delivered new in May 1931 with Thrupp and Maberly limousine coachwork to Eu Tong Sen in Singapore, where it was nicknamed the 'harem saloon'. Stored in a mine during the Second World War, it later returned to Britain, changed hands several times, and underwent multiple body and chassis modifications before John Cobbing commissioned a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by the Vintage Workshop in 2002, culminating in a Vanden Plas-style four-seat open tourer body in Midnight Blue.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €680,000 (≈ $748K)
- 1931-05-01 →Factory deliveryEu Tong Senpartial documentation
Original recipient of the car in Singapore; it was reportedly used to transport female companions, earning it a colourful nickname. The vehicle was concealed underground during the Second World War.
- 1950 →Acquisition unknownPeter Quinnpartial documentation
Acquired the car after it returned to the UK around 1950; removed the original limousine coachwork during his ownership.
- 2002 →Private saleJohn Cobbingfull documentation
Purchased the dismantled car and commissioned a thorough mechanical restoration by marque specialists, followed by fitting of a new Vanden Plas-style open tourer body with period-appropriate interior and trim.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPeter Morleypartial documentation
Shortened the chassis and fitted a two-seat open body suitable for vintage motorsport participation.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr Posnettpartial documentation
Fully disassembled the car and restored the chassis to its original wheelbase length, though did not reassemble it before selling.
Competition
- —Vintage racing eventsDriver: Peter Morley
The car was modified with a shortened chassis and a two-seat body specifically to suit participation in vintage motorsport during Morley's ownership; no specific events or results are named.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2002RestorationVintage Workshop
Full nut-and-bolt restoration carried out to near-new standards; engine comprehensively rebuilt including the one-shot lubrication system, clutch, carburettors, Auto-Vac unit, exhaust, radiator, gearbox, 3.2:1 differential, suspension, and steering. All components were either replaced outright, overhauled, or inspected and refitted.
Commissioned by John Cobbing after acquiring the car in dismantled condition.
- 2002BodyworkVintage Workshop
New Vanden Plas-style four-seat two-door open tourer coachwork fitted; finished in Midnight Blue with Gurney-Nutting-style helmet wings. Interior retrimmed in grey leather, polished walnut dashboard installed with period-correct instruments. A correct-era original Lagonda luggage trunk mounted over the fuel tank.
Carried out as part of the same restoration project commissioned by John Cobbing.
- —Bodywork
Original Thrupp and Maberly limousine coachwork was stripped from the chassis by Peter Quinn after the car returned to Britain.
- —Modification
Chassis wheelbase was shortened to approximately 30 inches and a two-seat sporting body was fitted to prepare the car for vintage competition.
Work carried out during Peter Morley's ownership.
- —Mechanical
Car was completely dismantled and the chassis was returned to its original 12-foot length by Mr Posnett.
Vehicle remained in pieces at the point of sale to the next owner.
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