EIGHT IN A ROW
Bentley secures another Pebble Beach win for JD Classics
Essex-based JD Classics has won a major award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California for the eighth year in a row.
The company’s 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental won the FIVA Postwar Trophy for the best preserved and regularly driven car. JD also exhibited a customer’s Shelby 260 Cobra after it was recently treated to a full restoration.
The Pebble Beach concours is contested by more than 200 vehicles and is scrutinised by a team of more than 100 judges.
The R-Type’s appearance at Pebble Beach, its first public showing in 50 years, included the 80-mile preconcours Tour d’Elegance.
Golfer, Philip F Scrutton, ordered the highly original Bentley new in 1954, and had it fitted with a number of unique features. The one-piece tail lights and cutaway rear wheelarches are two standout examples, along with instruments and a steering wheel matched to the red leather upholstery. Its next owner was successful pre-war MG and motorcycle racer, Stanley W Hailwood, who was also father to world champion bike racer, Mike Hailwood. It had never been restored before JD bought it in 2015 from a family in Australia that had purchased the car in 1968.
JD Classics managing director, Derek Hood, says: ‘ With more than 100 judges, many of whom have over 30 years’ experience judging events like this, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the most competitive classic car event in the world.
‘It’s another standout example of the dedication and expertise of our craftsmen.’