Cars in books, December 1981

Fiction figures in this column less than it once did, because cars are encountered so frequently in biography and autobiography and such references have their small bearing on history. But I would not like members of the BDC to think I have overlooked the “Field-Marshal’s Memories” by John Masters (Michael Joseph. 1975), with its complicated plot. The hero. Field-Marshal Sir John Durham, rid.. drives a Red Label Bentley, at the age of 79, and what is mum, drives it fast, starts it from cold on Me handle, and scorns the hood in wet weather. With its bonnet strap and outside hand brake it is clearly a Vanden Plas 3-litre, and there is a clue to it having been bought by the Field-Marshal in 1930. He changed gear without using the clutch. even when changing down, as all good vintage Bentley owners should, but in old age occasionally missed a gear but thought 55 m.p.h. a sedate cruising speed. But the car seems to have been non-standard, inasmuch as it is described as having throatily burbling exhausts. . . •It it . this car, British Racing ,Green and winged-B. badge hastily ‘,Wished, that the hero drives out the story in thc last chapter. — W.B.