The search to sell my Bentley

I have always been a fan of the James Bond novelsa real investment – unlike today’s cars, classic
and the Avengers, so when I first had the opportunitymodels like this one appreciate with age. They are also
to buy my Bentley fifteen years ago I jumped at theexempt from road tax.
chance. The 4.5-litre Bentley is an absolute classic, anFirstly, I followed up a handful of opportunities I’d
iconic design made in the years before Rolls Roycehad to sell my Bentley over the last few years. Most
took over the company in a secret bid in 1931. Mineweren’t interested – they had either found
was from 1928 (sadly a year before the superchargedanother car or hadn’t been serious in the first place.
model was released, and navy blue rather than theOne genuine would-be Bentley buyer clearly didn’t
battleship grey of Bond’s 1930 Bentley in Casinoknow the first thing about the car, so was struck from
Royale).the list. Another offered too little for it. In both cases, I
Now, several years into my retirement, declining healthwasn’t prepared to compromise in the interests of
and rising fuel prices mean I don’t get out in it asa quick sale!
much as I used to. I decided to sell my Bentley, whichI finally managed to sell my Bentley to another
was a real wrench, as I’d had it so long that it feltmember of my car club. I knew he had owned a 3-litre
like I was losing a part of myself. Finding someone toBentley in the past and, approaching his own
buy my Bentley was another reason I’d held onto itretirement, was looking to spend more time doing what
for so long – I didn’t think I’d find anyone whohe loved best, which was getting his hands dirty fixing
would look after it as well as I had.classic cars. Selling my Bentley was made
People have always been interested when they’veconsiderably easier by the knowledge that it will
seen the car, so I always knew I would never haveprobably be running just as well in another twenty
any trouble if I ever wanted to sell my Bentley. I usedyears time. I took the precaution of taking a spin with
to attend classic car rallies regularly, so I had a goodmy new Bentley buyer before signing it over, to make
base of contacts. I just needed to find the right one. Atsure he was as competent in the driving seat as he
80 years old, the car is considerably older than I am, sowas under the bonnet.
it needed an expert. Of course, it wouldn’t appealI can’t say it was a happy moment for me, but my
to the mainstream car market as it’s never goingdays of driving open-top cars are over so I’m glad I
to be a run-around. It needs some careful maintenancefound the right man to buy my Bentley. Now I’m
and it’s fuel consumption (15 mpg) is decidedlylooking for something a little more roomy and
unfashionable in these greener times. On the othercomfortable... maybe an Aston Martin?
hand, the person to buy my Bentley would be making