Touring South just fine in one's Bentley

Ross Cook and his daughter Shona Rickard look forward to hitting the road today in their 1923...
Ross Cook and his daughter Shona Rickard look forward to hitting the road today in their 1923 Bentley 3-litre open tourer, with Vanden Plas bodywork. The Bentleys at the rear are (from left): a 1939 4¼-litre, a 1928 open tourer, and a 1928 6½-litre machine. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
Englishman Ross Cook knows there is something special about Bentleys, including the distinctive throaty burble of their engines.

Mr Cook (67), of Cornwall, has owned or part-owned a Bentley for nearly 50 years, having bought his first when he was 18, with his brother Cedric.

The two brothers, each driving a Bentley, were in Dunedin yesterday, as part of a 23-car private tour of New Zealand, having earlier travelled from Christchurch, via Lake Tekapo and Danseys Pass.

The brothers, who co-own a healthcare clothing firm in Cornwall, have long shared a passion for Bentleys.

Most of the visiting vehicles are vintage machines, 19 of them Bentleys, and four Lagondas.

About 15 of the cars are from the UK, others are from Germany and elsewhere in Europe, and from other countries, including Canada and the United States.

Yesterday afternoon all the drivers travelled on Dunedin Railways train via Taieri Gorge to Middlemarch and return, and today will drive their cars through the Catlins to Invercargill.

 

 

They will then head north through Central Otago and later continue their six-week, 5000km tour in the North Island.

Ross Cook, who was travelling with daughter Shona Rickard, said they had enjoyed the ``wonderful drive'' south from Christchurch, after the cars from Britain had been unloaded from a container ship.

The Bentley had been described as ``the finest touring car in the world'' and he agreed.

He had had the car so long it was like a member of his family and the vehicle was running well and offered ``just driver satisfaction''.

He and his daughter were travelling close to the elements in the open tourer, with the hood down. Any rain simply flew over the windscreen, and he enjoyed hearing the sound of birds as they drove.

He also enjoyed travelling in a car with plenty of character, and the ``satisfaction of changing gear'' by double de-clutching.

A little mechanical knowledge comes in handy because a few adjustments were sometimes needed with vintage cars.

``You never known if you're going to get there,'' he added with a smile.

But the car was running well and father and daughter were enjoying the trip.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement