Shifting down

Specialising exclusively in W.O. (Walter Owen) Bentley models from 1922 to 1932, Vintage Bentley has been involved in preserving, restoring, showing, and overseeing all things related to some of the world’s most historically significant vintage Bentleys for over 25 years. They are regarded as the world’s leading vintage Bentley specialists, with a highly successful track record across all their activities and an extensive worldwide clientele. 

But with tastes, attitudes, and opinions towards vehicle ownership constantly changing in the Millenial and Gen Z era – most notably a significant swerve in the direction of automatic and electric vehicle ownership – Vintage Bentley Founder and CEO William Medcalf knew that unless he began to operate differently by putting a stronger focus on future custodians, in addition to his existing older client base, these precious pre-war Bentleys risked becoming redundant in future years.

Now, it’s important not to fall under the assumption that these near 100-year-old Bentleys are ‘garage Queens’;delicate artefacts to be polished, scared of, or put under a blanket to only be taken out on a trailer for Concours events. These cars were made to be driven, and driven harder than almost any ‘luxury’ or ‘historic’ vehicle ever created, even now.

Vintage Bentley has seen their cars win multiple titles over consecutive years at gruelling long-distance endurance rallies and international motor races including the Le Mans Classic, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Goodwood Revival, the imitable 14,994-kilometer Peking to Paris, the Sahara Challenge, and the Flying Scotsman. In addition, of course, to superlative international Concours events such as Audrain and Pebble Beach. Originally designed in the early 1920s for young, sporty and affluent individuals – a W.O. Bentley’s core purpose and enjoyment potential has not expired nor dwindled in the slightest over the course of a century. In fact, under the care of Medcalf’s current team – with extensive experience, modern-day technology, and knowledge – one might say they are now better and more drivable than ever.

It’s very clear it’s not the cars that need any kind of work or improvement to spark the passion of the younger generation – one hour behind the wheel does all the talking required – but it’s the individuals surrounding them at present that need to work harder to ensure their legacy continues; the current collectors, restorers, enthusiasts, experts, and owners. Unless individuals like William Medcalf speak up, advocate, and adapt to allow and encourage new blood to experience the vintage Bentley world, it will not simply be possible for the heritage to live on.

At the ripe age of five, Medcalf was privileged to have experienced a 28,000-mile trip of a lifetime across the US in the family vintage Bentley. Subsequent teaching by his toolmaker father in all traditional engineering practices – together with numerous opportunities to work on the family 3-litre and subsequent Speed Six – resulted in Medcalf’s lifelong passion for Vintage Bentley models and the almost inevitable decision, to devote his life to maintaining and preserving these automotive legends. He knew not all children and young people are provided with this kickstart in pre-war car ownership, so Medcalf took matters facing his beloved industry and personal passion into his own hands.

With an aim to ignite a new passion for W.O. Bentley’s in the younger generation, whilst demonstrating the capabilities of the cars, and providing guests with the skillset and knowledge to own one, Medcalf designed the Vintage Bentley Generations Track Day at the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit, to which he very kindly invited me along.

Along with twenty or so other young drivers under the age of 30, we arrived eagerly at Goodwood Motor Circuit to enjoy a full day of one-on-one driver tuition, and track time in a plethora of W.O. Bentley models. And it’s a day I will never forget.

I think for most who remain young at heart, there are stories we recount from our earliest years that capture our imaginations forever. In my case, it was the countless stories told to me by my father about my late Grandpa Harry; some of which were his racing exploits at Brooklands in his 4½-litre Bentley. Racing drivers of that era had incalculable bravery, heroism, dexterity and guts. Throughout my life, I have held them on a pedestal in my mind. It was certainly not expected that I, certainly this side of 30, would get to place myself in the same upholstered driver’s seat.

A wave of emotions ensued – excitement, honour, and most of all nerves and disbelief. A vintage Bentley was something that I always dreamed of in my garage one day – for me potential ownership felt like the pinnacle of life achievement – but fear of not knowing much about the close-knit vintage Bentley industry, how their world (or cars) operate, and without having an ‘in’ had always had held me back from pursuing further. Not to mention, there aren’t too many under 30’s I know who can casually drop six or seven figures on a car that even doesn’t fit in a standard parking space.

It’s clear that this initiative is the ‘long game’ for Medcalf – he knows there will likely be no direct sale from hosting the Generations Track Day – but in 5, 10, 20 years time, it’s young guests likely be back, with the memories of the day left engrained in our minds, and eventually the cash and means to finally purchase our very own vintage Bentley. Of course, this is the story for individuals such as myself, however, there were plenty of attendants to the track day who joined their parents or grandparents with their family Bentley also. For those, it was a case of ensuring they are inspired and readily equipped to inherit and take care of their family car when the time comes.

Over breakfast in the Sir Jackie Stewart pavilion, I secretly tried to Google ‘How to drive a 1928 4.5-litre Bentley’ – my selected chariot for the day by William – which led me to discover there is absolutely no instruction manual, and each car I found online was totally different to start and operate. Thank goodness I was in the capable (and non-judgemental) hands of the expert Vintage Bentley team.

These beautiful and complex 100-year-old mechanical behemoths are by no stretch of the imagination ‘ordinary’ cars. The starting process requires a ‘secret handshake’ of multiple switch mechanisms and processes, instead of the usual twist of a key. I shan’t divulge the exact starting combination here, not for fear of one being stolen (good luck to that fellow!), but as I likely can’t remember it correctly anyway.

Aside from this, the second and perhaps the biggest thing to get your head around are the pedals. As is the case of most race cars of this era, you will find the accelerator and brake have been switched to a centre throttle – which is not something you want to forget in error at high speed, most especially whilst approaching another very valuable and irreplaceable pre-war Bentley on track, as I was soon about to be. 

I threw on some windproof clothing, a flat cap and flying goggles (well actually just a baseball cap and some sunglasses, but let’s pretend) to feebly attempt to protect my hairdo ahead of the Cliveden House party I was attending that evening. Historic race track: check. Iconic race car: check. Total novice pre-war car driver: check. Nerves and mounting pressure: check, check and check.

Training commenced, sensibly, in the Goodwood Chicane Paddock. Nerves quickly evolved into (short-lived) moments of ecstatic victory. From stationary, I could get first gear, no problem. Then sometimes I’d get second gear but I couldn’t get third, or get back into second, so I just had to roll to a rather pathetic stop. I’d be up to 30 or 40 mph, feeling fast and victorious in the open-top air, then I’d be met by a self-inflicted stomach-turning gear crunch and roll back to a stop with a concession of very British ‘sorry’s to my instructor. However, following some good measure of frustration and self-doubt, with hard work, persistence, and encouragement from the Vintage Bentley team, good things ensued! Hurrah.

The pedals initially spook you, but once you are used to them, it makes perfect sense. Because you’re double-declutching all the time and double-revving on the downshift, it actually makes sense to have the centre throttle, as you’re on the left two pedals all the time. Once mastered it’s a totally addictive feeling, and I was finally let loose on the track to play with the big boys and their Bentleys.

By the end of the day, I had evolved from not knowing how to switch the thing on, to switching gears around one of my favourite circuits in the world. Even, for a fleeting moment, as I floored it down the Lavant Straight with all that I had, I actually was my Grandfather. Ok, I lacked the handlebar moustache, dapper dress sense, and driving skill, but when you’re in the moment, it’s easy for the mind to wander just a little…

In essence, one day was all it took to get me hooked. I now spend evenings structuring my future plans to fit a W.O.Bentley into my life one day, something I am keen to make happen, and there would certainly now only be one place I’d go. I have William and his team to thank for fulfilling a family-inspired dream of mine and helping me set the building blocks to put it into reality. In the meantime, motivated almost solely by the experience, I bought a rather humble 1929 Ford Model A Boattail Speedster to keep up my pre-war pedalling practice ahead of my numbers coming in. (When enthusiastically shown to William and Katerina Kyvalova at the Pebble Beach Bentley party, their response was, wait for it…“cute”.)

Aside from a family connection spurring on vintage Bentley ownership, I think one would find it very hard to name any other car you can race through harsh, sometimes uninhabitable, off-road terrain and climates over 15,000 kilometers around the world; then throw around a race track at top speed for endless hours without faltering; then squeeze every member of the family including the dog into for the school run or a weekend adventure; but also carry out daily activities in, like popping to the shops (ample parking permitting). Let alone think of one that is close to 100 years old. Personally, I’m hard-pressed to think of any single type of car that’s cooler, more versatile for the purpose of sheer motoring enjoyment, or higher-up on my dream shopping list.

In total, around 21 million people within the UK believe that classic and pre-war cars are a significant part of British heritage, with new interest from the younger generations slowly building again, it’s imperative companies such as Vintage Bentley keep up the momentum to ensure that not only the enthusiasm for pre-war car ownership grows, but the skills needed to actually drive, own and maintain them is retained.

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