Looking back at December, there are a number of classic car sale which stand out. But one in particular caught our eye as it demonstrates how an item can give a lifetime of enjoyment - as well as a great return on your investment.
A three-litre Bentley Speed Model Tourer built in 1924, went under the hammer at a Bonhams auction in Weybridge on December 6, and sold for an impressive £150,000.
But the real story was in its history, as it had been owned by the same family in Scotland for 56 years.
 The Bentley during it's earlier years, and how it looks today |
Built by long established coachbuilders and motor dealers John Croall of Edinburgh in 1924, the car was originally ordered by Major E.G. Thomson. The Bentley was certainly the car to own in 1924, having recently sped to victory in the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race.
In 1930 it moved to England where it passed through various hands, before eventually crossing the border back to Scotland and into the hands of lifelong Bentley enthusiast Bill Martin in 1954.
He had bought his first three-litre Bentley for £30 in 1933, raced motorcycles with some success in the 1920s and served as secretary to the Winfield Joint Committee, which ran motor races at the Winfield and Charterhall Circuits in the Scottish Borders.
In 2001, after years of entering the car in various vintage events across Scotland, Martin passed the car down to his equally enthusiastic son and the car remained in the family.
The 86 year old car had passed through the lives of many people over the years, but none can claim to have enjoyed its company as much as Bill Martin. Let's hope it earns an equally big place in the heart of its new owner.
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