We bought our 1953 R-type Bentley in 1969 while on sabbatical leave in London from R. W. Dale and Stepson. The previous (and only prior) owner was Sir Tudor Thomas, a Welsh octogenarian, and we corresponded about the car - -he clearly as much regretted selling it (his age, not the car's was the factor) as I was delighted in buying it. We kept it for more than a glorious decade of absolutely trouble-free motoring (one water pump went and the brakes were beginning to freeze up a little - - that was the sum total of difficulties) but then with a sabbatical coming up and the rapid deterioration of the Bentley's interior and exterior it seemed prudent (but no less painful) to say "Cheerio" to a lovely and reliable - and very exhilarating - - car.