Bentley’s Dominant Performance in the 1929 Le Mans 24 Hour Race

Bentley’s participation in the 1929 Le Mans 24 Hour Race was a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence. With a total of five cars entered as a works team, the stage was set for a thrilling competition. Among the entrants was the YW 5758, a 4 1/2 liter tourer driven by Frank Clement and Jean Chassagne, both highly regarded by W.O. Bentley, the founder of the company.

The YW 5758 was one of four 4 1/2 liter tourers set up by Bentley for the race. The other drivers paired up in the remaining three cars were Glenn Kidston and Jack Dunphy, Dudley Benjafield and Andre Delanger, and Bernard Rubin and Francis Curzon. The fifth car was the Bentley Speed Six, driven by Wolf Barnert and Henry Tim Birkin.

W.O. Bentley’s instructions to the team were clear: run as fast as possible to win. However, the competition was not without its challenges. Dunphy, who had a significant lead at one point, stopped his car to take a break at a cafe. Meanwhile, Rubin and Curzon’s car retired after three hours due to electrical issues.

The YW 5758, driven by Clement and Chassagne, experienced a minor setback when the weight ballast became misaligned, interfering with the brake rod and forcing a pit stop. Despite this, the car was running smoothly and had been in second place behind the Speed Six. After the pit stop, the YW 5758 dropped to eighth place but managed to regain its position, finishing the race in fourth place.

The overall winner of the 1929 Le Mans 24 Hour Race was the Bentley Speed Six. The YW 5758 completed 157 laps, a testament to the car’s endurance and the team’s determination.

Preserving the Original Texture

After the race, the YW 5758 was purchased by Jack Barclay. The car then passed through several owners, including the Bentley Drivers Club, before becoming the property of Mr. JP Emmons, one of the club’s founders. In 1957, the car was acquired by Harry Rose, who competed in multiple events, including the Le Mans Classic.

The current owner, Ian Andrews, has owned the YW 5758 for over 25 years. Despite not being a racing driver, Andrews has preserved the car’s original texture, resisting the temptation to restore it to concours d’elegance standards.

Andrews’ decision to preserve the car’s original texture has been praised by many. In 2009, the YW 5758 was invited to exhibit at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it received second place in its class. The car’s unique history and soul have been preserved, making it a truly special vehicle.

“This car has a unique history and soul. You can feel the aura. You can’t buy historical flavor with money,” Andrews said, highlighting the importance of preserving the car’s original texture.