I say, Carruthers.
What ho, Wooster.
Heard about this latest stunt by Barnato?
Woolf Barnato, you mean? The diamond magnate and famed Bentley racing driver?
Yes, that's the chap. Well apparently, he bet a few of his chums that not only could he beat the Calais-Mediterranée Express or 'Blue Train' from Cannes to Calais, but could actually be back at his club in London before the train even reached the coast. And d'yer know what? He did it! Raced his Bentley Speed Six all the way home and beat the train easily.
Well I never. I wonder, Wooster, how Bentley will choose to commemorate this remarkable achievement.
Well, it's a bit of a stab in the dark, but I reckon it'll wait about 85 years, and then bring out a special, limited edition of one of its cars. It'll most likely be produced by the skilled craftsmen and women of Bentley's bespoke coachbuilding division, Mulliner. Each featuring a number of delightful historical references and modern interpretations of design details from the original Speed Six.
For example, the fluting pattern in the door panels and the rear quarter inserts might echo the interior of Barnato's original car. And I'll wager that the dashboard facia features an expertly crafted veneer image of the original Bentley 'Blue Train' Speed Six. Meanwhile, the treadplate plaques could bear the wording 'Blue Train 85 Years' and the front grille a square mesh design inspired by the original Speed Six.
Better yet, Bentley might even chuck in some nice little treat; say a personalised hamper, trimmed with Burnt Oak and Camel hide to match perfectly the interior of the car. Mulliner might craft beautiful leather cutlery holders and a leather rug wrap-around, both featuring 'Blue Train' embroidery. The hamper should contain exclusive Robbe & Berking silver plated cutlery, Haviland Limoges porcelain crockery, LINLEY crystal champagne flutes and a 100 percent Angora picnic rug, woven in Scotland.
Gosh, that's a very specific prediction.
Well, I also fancy that there will be a chap called Richard Charlesworth, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, and he'll say: "The Blue Train is one of the most famous and celebrated cars in the world, and it perfectly embodies the racing spirit of the Bentley. Woolf Barnato was a three-time Le Mans victor, but winning the Blue Train race captured the public's imagination, and fuelled the legend of the Bentley Boys. By beating the Calais-Mediterranée Express he forever guaranteed the Speed Six's place in automotive history."
Bit of a clairvoyant are you?
Well I reckon to cap it all off, Bentley will probably release the car at a major collector's event, which I'm going to call Techno Classica, which will take place in Essen, in Germany, from the 15th to the 19th of April in the year of our Lord 2015.
Really? Care to place a bet on that...?
Neil Briscoe - 15 Apr 2015