There is something inherent within the human condition that holds history sacred, and often holds our links with history even more sacred. There is an instinctual reason that people all over the world have different traditions of venerating the elders. This same instinct is what brings up a sense of reverence and regard upon meeting a world war veteran. What exactly this instinct is I don’t know, but I do know that we crave the authentic, we desire the original, and we want the first hand.
This same instinct exists with objects. For the Phoenix Valley auto enthusiast, this could be seeing an old faded blue 1957 Chevy speeding down the freeway, or spotting an original 1930s Indian motorcycle on the highway. This august at Pebble Beach, you can see the first factory roll out of the first production model Bentley. The oldest Bentley in existence will be up for sale on the auction block.
Built in 1921, and used in races such as Le Mans throughout its early life, this well used and still operational antique doesn’t look like one might expect it to. It looks fairly new, maybe not right off the factory floor, but fairly new nonetheless, with all of its original parts, including the aluminum coachwork, brass brightwork, engine and gearbox. This car is well used, but not misused. The owners of this vehicle took great care of it for the same reason that they used it so thoroughly, because it is a remarkable and original piece of design and engineering.
Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just W.O. . Bentley had been previously known for his range of Rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later versions of the Sopwith Camel. After the war W. O. Bentley designed and made production cars that won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1924 and following models which repeated those successes each June 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.
Purchased by Rolls-Royce Limited in 1931, when production was moved from London to Derby and later to Crewe, the company has been owned by the Volkswagen Group of Germany since 1998. The business is still based in Crewe, Cheshire, England with their Central Production Facilities there.
Phoenix Valley auto enthusiast and fine car collectors can reach Pebble Beach in roughly half a days drive from the Phoenix Valley area. Phoenix Valley residents would likely head out to the I-10, then drive up to Pebble Beach in Monterrey along the Pacific Coast Highway, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
