Chassis YX5113 was one of only 12 particularly sporting 8-Litre Bentleys constructed on the "short" 12-foot frame.

According to noted Vintage Bentley authority Dr Clare Hay, it was one of three examples fitted with this very attractive body by Vanden Plas, a so-called ‘Silent Bloc’ saloon built to the French Weymann construction method, with aluminium panels assembled in such a way as to avoid squeaks and rattles—hence the name.

It was originally delivered to J.A.

Player of Wratton Manor, near Nottingham, of John Player cigarette fame and fortune.

Interestingly, the factory Service Record notes that parts for the car were sent to the Players factory in Nottingham in 1932, and there is a minor gap in the record through 1935—indicating that Player may have had general service done on the car ‘in-house!’.

By the following February the car had passed into the hands of C.W.

Mason of Belfast, then to H.

Dagnall of London, who used the Bentley extensively and for whom some repair work ...