Issue - Bentley Drivers Club NSW

The French welcome was remarkable; their greetings
enthusiastic and captivated, their arm-wavings helpful –
well maybe, maybe not - as their villages were invaded by
scores of large, noisy mechanical beasts. Their welcome
wasnt even dented as drivers attempted 12-point+ U-turns,
totally obstructing their narrow medieval main streets and
even narrower pavements because their navigator had
spotted a promising looking lunch stop or realised that
they had missed a turn. Their patient smiling faces were a
testament to their love of vintage cars. At one village an old
man stood at our drivers door, hands clasped just looking
at Syd with tears in his eyes. He clasped his hands over
Syds as he mumbled in incomprehensible French, almost
incoherent with delight – and for those sceptics amongst
you, NO! he didnt own the local service station.
On the road, enthusiastic truck drivers caused Syd and me
palpitations as they roared alongside us out of nowhere
hooting their delight; the French are not known for restraint
whether it is in enjoyment, anger or hysteria. Nor is Syd;
each time this happened, he let out an explosive - ‘!¥§*k -
expletive that if heard would have wounded the enthusiastic
truck driver to the core. In fact I would describe Syds
French driving vocabulary as mostly cursory and often very
descriptive; he had his hands full much of the time as we
negotiated the mountainous interior. Hats off to him for
winning the award for Best Driver of a 6L; while I could sit
back and enjoy the beauty that is the French countryside,
he had to keep his full attention on what he was doing.
Robyn and Bryan organised the tour to give us a good
days driving, averaging between 200 and 300 miles in a
day followed by one and sometimes more rest or explore
days, to be used as we chose. There was always an option
of two or three interesting routes through the countryside
to gardens, ancient villages, historically significant sites,
or vineyards – often with gourmet lunch with French wine,
on the cards. France has such an ancient history that it
was difficult to choose between what was on offer, from
crusader sites, to WW2 memorials, to modern gardens,
vineyards or engineering feats both old, such as the canal
staircase of navigable locks near Beziers or modern, such
as the stunning Millau Viaduct.
While we were given beautifully detailed tour notes
including a Michelin Guide with the whole route marked
off with a highlighter pen, our days were very flexible as
long as we reported for aperitifs by 8:00PM clean, sparkling
and ready to party. We headed off each morning, some in
groups, some leaving really early so that they could stop
for 3 course lunches..
Arriving one evening at a little village called Geniez sur
Olt nestling deep in a valley in the Lot/Aubrac region,
the car park was a sight to behold with 50+ Bentleys, the
newest a 2007 Continental GTC belonging to Terry Ward
of Melbourne, the oldest a 1922 3L.
The carpark at the end of Day 4 at St Geniez du Olt
There were a number of Van den Plas tourers and Le
Mans replica speed sixes, a number of ‘70s and ‘80s
Bentleys and a few new and modern Azures and Arnages.
We were privileged to drive alongside some very original
cars, at least 3 blower Bentleys, three Derbys, all of them
dropheads. They had transported their owners from far
and wide, many from England but also from places as
diverse as Wales, Scotland, the USA, Switzerland, Hong
Kong - and there were 8 of us from Australia.
I am always delighted at the ingenuity that surfaces when
Bentley drivers get together and open up their toolboxes
and on tour this was even more evident. Everyone who
was mobile was only too happy to give whatever help they
could to anyone who was having a hassle, be it advice,
tools or parts. Talk about teamwork! Even the Aussie
cricket team could learn a thing or two from the Bentley
fraternity. A highlight had to be when Tony Judds 1930 4
½ litre was towed in by David Rolfes equally ancient WO
Bentley; Tonys overdrive had cried “enough” on one of the
passes - the overdrive being a modern add on. Imagine
towing a car of that age over mountain passes summiting
at 1800m plus, with another of equal age! But the sequel
was even better. Alex Tanner, chairman elect of the BDC
UK, produced a complete spare drive shaft, from gearbox
to differential, universals and all, and the team had the car
going again the next day.
The impressive Millau Viaduct
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