Chassis 141

July 7, 2014

The First Le Mans Bentley
Clare Hay

This lavish book began as private research for the owner of 3-litre no141. If you’re a Bentley person that tells you we’re talking about the first car to race at Le Mans, which was rediscovered in a shed and sat covered in dust before anyone realised what it was. Clare Hay’s marque credentials are impeccable, so the car’s racing history is covered in great detail, with photos showing John Duff’s exploits with it.

Inevitably the restoration section is less exciting – listing every lap in the car’s Double-12 record is a bit self-indulgent – and the history has been published before, but it’s a high-quality treat. GC

Published by Motoring Past, www.lemansbentley.com.au ISBN 0 9757944 0 X, AUS$150

Gordon Cruickshank

Deputy editor

Bravely ignoring his degree in industrial design after discovering night rallies in a Renault 8, GC joined Motor Sport by accident, in the Teesdale days around 1982 when Jenks and WB were office regulars and Mr Tee ruled with a rod of cardboard. He took part in some of the early historic rallies, winning one of the Pirelli Marathons, and regularly runs his Mk2 Jaguar in road events.

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