History

Client Awards And Accolades

Letter from Johnnie Green, Author of “BENTLEY - 50 Years of the Marque”

The Medcalf family need no introduction, for they must be known to Bentley Drivers Club members throughout the world. If only because of Bill Medcalf senior’s various sorties, including that to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concourse, for Bentleys, on the day of the marque’s selection for display. Not to mention his treks across Australia coast to coast.

So it is delightful that young William carries on with a tradition so ably upheld by his Father. Their motto “Attention to Detail”, were evidence required to substantiate this, one personal instance:- “Periwinkle” my Derby 4¼ Litre Special, while in their care for several items was left without my requesting attention given to some missing wing piping. However, upon collection every piece was in place (including unseen sections I had entirely forgotten about). When I expressed my gratitude, to be brushed aside as work taken for granted, and typically this did not come on to their invoice.

Young William, and here I hesitate on the differential in ages, kindly likens my Derby car to the elders lovely Vintage Speed Six, which is the finest example I’ve been fortunate enough to drive. There might be similarity in the exhaust notes, though hardly the same grunt, and as for performance figures, though fitted with a Bentley extra overdrive gear box with fifth ratio of 3.64 to 1, the times cannot be compared.

All the same if one is brought into the conversation it is comforting to feel almost one of the boys and all this motoring Valhalla so near me. If one wanted to re-charge their adrenalin just look in on William Medcalf Ltd, you can be assured a friendly, courteous welcome. Whatever the task, be it a minor repair or complete re-build, and the model’s origins may be Cricklewood, Derby or Crewe, when the car comes back it will be better than new.

William does not keep all the “know how” to himself, but shares his knowledge in the continuance of those thorough seminars, where the attendance is looked after by mum, who is cook and chief bottle washer.

As you read of the opening of their web site William should be seeking pastures new in joining club member Jean-Pierre Muller in a Vintage 3/4½ Litre Bentley in the Peking to Paris Rally in which I am sure every motoring enthusiast joins.

Johnnie Green