Sir, I read with interest the letter from

Mr. R. Bailey in your January correspondence column and his suggestion that a pre-war Rolls-Bentley (presumably the 4i-litre model) would suit. my ideal specification for high-speed Continental touring. I have owned, driven and been driven in pre-war Rolls-Bentleys and can assure your correspondent that they fall very far short of the sort of car require, especially as regards roadholding and suspension.

As regards the Mark VI Bentley, I think this car may approtteli nearer to the ideal, but from my experience of this car So far it will not completely attain it. It is probably the best available to English buyers at the moment and I am awaiting delivery of my new Mark VI with interest.

My impression is that the Mark VI suffers from rather it false glamour, and most people make the mistake of regarding it as a sports car, which it most certainly is no/. If it were viewed in its true light as a very refined touring car of rather mediocre performance as regards acceleration, a normal illaXi11111111 of a little over 90 m.p.h. (statements or claims of genuine 100 m.p.h. in standard form are not borne out in practice) and distinctly inferior suspension, then fewer owners and would-be owners would be disillusioned on delivery—unless of course snob-appeal is at a premium !

The perfection with which the Controls operate and the general Smoothness, silence and silkiness go a long way towards making for untiring travel, but for it last passage of the Alps, especially in bad weather conditions, I contend that a good Lancia ” Aprilia ” could leave a Mark VI stone cold.

I am, Yours, etc..

Epsom. K. N. Flurcuisots.