The magnificent 8-litre Bentley (YF5005) on offer here began life as a Folding concealed head Coupé by Berkeley Street coach builders, Thrupp & Maberley.

It graced their stand in the Coachwork section at the 1930 Olympia Motor Show and Autocar Magazine described it as: “A sports coupé on the new 8-litre Bentley chassis is really an open two-seater and coupé in one, as the head of the coupé when down is completely concealed beneath the rear decking.

A large tail provided ample luggage accommodation and other features are the raked screen, the helmet-type wings and the general low build.

The colour scheme is of black and a delicate shade of pastel blue”.

Within the history file are a number of images and lots of details about YF5005’s early years and for these we are indebted to Bentley historian Clare Hay.

The Duke of Leinster was obviously smitten with the pretty Bentley as a sale was agreed at the Show and the car was purchased from Jack Barclay Limited for the sum of £2,200.

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