Bentley Turbo R - My Passion
Discussion
My Bentley Turbo R, affectionately called 'Hatty', turns 23 this year and, after four years of being in my life, the passion I have for her does not wain. Not even after having to spend around £3,000 on her this month in order to keep her in the manner she was built.
I wonder sometimes why it is that my passion lies with such a vehicle and not something like a Mini or Moggy 1000, which would obviously be cheaper on the wallet. But we are as and who we are. Nothing can change the way we are ourselves built.
I'm not wealthy, far from it. I live in an ex two up two down council house. Recent bills for 'Hatty' mean beans on toast for a long time. No meals out. No visits to the cinema, in a nutshell, I have to live cheaply in order for my passion to continue to consume me. Thank God I'm not a smoker or a drinker.
For Christmas my girlfriend brought me two cigar lighters for the back door that have been missing since I bought 'Hatty'. We laughed that she had given me a present I shall never use, but WOW! do they set each door off well, just wonderful. A precious gift indeed, as was the car cover 'Hatty' sleeps under each night.
'Hatty' makes my day, even when not in my sight locked away in her rented garage. I love going into the garage at night, pulling back her cover and, opening a door to view the majesty of her lit up from within. For she is beautiful, quite something.
I have recently undergone several operations with more on the horizon. Strange as it may sound, 'Hatty' helped me through and, will continue to, such is the passion I have for her. At times she has been stronger than any medication I've been prescribed. Maybe I'm daft. But does it matter if I am? Of course it doesn't.
We take strength in our own different ways. I Love to be in her company more now than ever I have, for I know that each time I'm with her could be my last, for I know that life can change in a heartbeat.
My journey's to hospital take five hours each way, sadly not in 'Hatty'. But whilst away the thoughts of being in her company again help get me through whatever life away brings.
Strange how some view a piece of metal, leather and wood in such a way and, regard them so highly to the point of it being an affair of the heart. What is it they say "A thing of beauty is a joy forever". But how long is forever? As long as forever lasts I suppose.
Silly aren't I?
I wonder sometimes why it is that my passion lies with such a vehicle and not something like a Mini or Moggy 1000, which would obviously be cheaper on the wallet. But we are as and who we are. Nothing can change the way we are ourselves built.
I'm not wealthy, far from it. I live in an ex two up two down council house. Recent bills for 'Hatty' mean beans on toast for a long time. No meals out. No visits to the cinema, in a nutshell, I have to live cheaply in order for my passion to continue to consume me. Thank God I'm not a smoker or a drinker.
For Christmas my girlfriend brought me two cigar lighters for the back door that have been missing since I bought 'Hatty'. We laughed that she had given me a present I shall never use, but WOW! do they set each door off well, just wonderful. A precious gift indeed, as was the car cover 'Hatty' sleeps under each night.
'Hatty' makes my day, even when not in my sight locked away in her rented garage. I love going into the garage at night, pulling back her cover and, opening a door to view the majesty of her lit up from within. For she is beautiful, quite something.
I have recently undergone several operations with more on the horizon. Strange as it may sound, 'Hatty' helped me through and, will continue to, such is the passion I have for her. At times she has been stronger than any medication I've been prescribed. Maybe I'm daft. But does it matter if I am? Of course it doesn't.
We take strength in our own different ways. I Love to be in her company more now than ever I have, for I know that each time I'm with her could be my last, for I know that life can change in a heartbeat.
My journey's to hospital take five hours each way, sadly not in 'Hatty'. But whilst away the thoughts of being in her company again help get me through whatever life away brings.
Strange how some view a piece of metal, leather and wood in such a way and, regard them so highly to the point of it being an affair of the heart. What is it they say "A thing of beauty is a joy forever". But how long is forever? As long as forever lasts I suppose.
Silly aren't I?
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/KJozvsaH.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/1VIX04oC" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/1VIX04oC.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/PUiS7q7L" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/PUiS7q7L.jpg)
There's a couple who own a garage further along from the one I rent. The husband has always wanted a Bentley, but his wife had always argued that their garage was too small in which to accomodate one. Not long after I bought 'Hatty', the Lady of the House approached me to convey her dismay that her argument had been proven incorrect by the presence of 'Hatty'. Alas, and to the husbands dismay, their garage remains devoid of a Bentley. Methinks "She who must be obeyed" put her foot down with a firm hand.
You could be right. The colour of 'Hatty' is Midnight Blue. In certain light she looks black. She has a FSH on miles as opposed to time or schedule. The surround of the radio/cassette matches the wood, as does the remote control for it. She has a telephone in the passenger seat arm rest, but the one that should be in the rear arm rest is missing, and I'd love to find a replacement. They won't work of course, but that doesn't matter.
I take her out as and when I can, money for fuel permitting. I'd give my eye teeth to afford to use her as an everyday car. I would dearly love to use her for my journey's to hospital, but as each round trip is around 464 miles, it's completely unaffordable. I've come to learn that in life we can't have everything.
I insure her for 5,000 miles per year (the difference between 3k & 5k miles was only £15.00 more), but do nothing like that, in fact in the last 12 months she travelled 1,745 wonderful miles.
My girlfriend has life membership of the National Trust, so we go to Tesco and buy a £3.00 meal deal each, put them into a wicker picnic hamper and go out for the day to a NT property. Wonderful. We usually grab a coffee and piece of cake whilst there and buy some freshly baked bread made on the premises.
It all makes for an enjoyable and memorable day.
We visted a NT property on Anglesey last year and there was a Bentley Blower in the car park, so we parked up near to it, then another vintage Bentley parked up too. Beautiful day....WOW!
I insure her for 5,000 miles per year (the difference between 3k & 5k miles was only £15.00 more), but do nothing like that, in fact in the last 12 months she travelled 1,745 wonderful miles.
My girlfriend has life membership of the National Trust, so we go to Tesco and buy a £3.00 meal deal each, put them into a wicker picnic hamper and go out for the day to a NT property. Wonderful. We usually grab a coffee and piece of cake whilst there and buy some freshly baked bread made on the premises.
It all makes for an enjoyable and memorable day.
We visted a NT property on Anglesey last year and there was a Bentley Blower in the car park, so we parked up near to it, then another vintage Bentley parked up too. Beautiful day....WOW!
Hello BG. For obvious reasons I'm so pleased to read you still have 'Ballers'. Long may she remain one of your family.
Hello Stain. May I be so bold as to encourage you to buy her back?
The curtain is up, the lights are on and the orchestra are playing, but there is no encore, ever. So enjoy every moment.....It's definately what 'Hatty' and I intend to do.
Hello Stain. May I be so bold as to encourage you to buy her back?
The curtain is up, the lights are on and the orchestra are playing, but there is no encore, ever. So enjoy every moment.....It's definately what 'Hatty' and I intend to do.
'Hatty' resplendent with pink ribbon, arriving at an open air Alice in Wonderland themed Breast Cancer Care Strawberry Tea last September. She was driven to the event by my girlfriend who is a survivor. In 'Hatty' were The Mayor of the town, Miss Alice (dressed in a specially commissioned one off pink dress in support of the charity), The Mad Hatter and Queen Victoria. My thanks to David R for the picture. A very poignant picture in several ways.
All neccessary work has now been successfully completed on 'Hatty' including full service and M.O.T., I'm in the process of polishing her (half way through now), then I shall look forward to enjoying her company during the summer months and beyond. It's amazing how theraputic it can be looking after her, keeping her in the customary manner. FOOTNOTE:- I found the reset button for the central locking last week....Result!
You can tell the weather has changed. Hatty has visited two National Trust properties over the last two days. Bodnant Gardens in the Conwy Valley and, Plas Newydd on Anglesey. Bought two meal deals from ASDA. Got the picnic hamper and cool box out. Both beautiful hot sunny days. Just great. Priceless.
Another 500 mile, ten hour round trip to hospital at the end of last week has brought with it the necessity for me to make an extremely difficult decision about my beloved Bentley Turbo R (Hatty).
I have to find her a new home, and I'm gutted. But a recent diagnosis of my condition leaves me with no option.
As my condition progresses I will be unable to maintain her in the manner she requires, nor will I be able to afford to take her out on trips. This is because I'm self employed and my workload will from hence forth begin to decrease due to ill health, therefore a decision had to be made, and I'm heartbroken.
Thus far 'Hatty' has helped me through my illness, daft I know, but she has. But with more trips to hospital of the same duration and, costs incurred over the next however how long, means I must put what resources I can into my health, I have no choice.
My condition can only get more debilitating, besides, it would be difficult, nigh impossible, to drive 'Hatty' with either no, or very little eye sight. I have to prepare for all eventualities, it's just how it is.
So, having enjoyed the company of a RRSS I and a RRSS 2, plus the company of my beloved 'Hatty', I have to contend myself with what has gone before as opposed to what I could have looked forward to in the future had life taken a different turn.
How does one relinquish such passion that has been within one since childhood? Maybe the simple answer is, you can't, but you just have to accept what is, and move on.
Having the company of such a beautiful lady is all consuming and has never had anything to do with money. But with money always required and funds tight anyway, I have to accept the inevitable that poor health will not, from here on in, allow me the luxury of continuing my love affair with 'Hatty'.
Life takes many twists and turns. Sometimes you can run but can't hide.
I now have no choice but to put every effort and penny I have into contending with my health issues, and I will.
My health problems may take my sight and my sanity, but they can't take from me the absolute pleasure I have enjoyed every second, in the company of 'Hatty'. She has always been so much more than a car. She has kept me sane and given me strength to fight on. Sadly, whilst I may have won several battles, life was never going to allow me to win the war.
I've been so lucky up to now. But my luck just ran out.
I have to find her a new home, and I'm gutted. But a recent diagnosis of my condition leaves me with no option.
As my condition progresses I will be unable to maintain her in the manner she requires, nor will I be able to afford to take her out on trips. This is because I'm self employed and my workload will from hence forth begin to decrease due to ill health, therefore a decision had to be made, and I'm heartbroken.
Thus far 'Hatty' has helped me through my illness, daft I know, but she has. But with more trips to hospital of the same duration and, costs incurred over the next however how long, means I must put what resources I can into my health, I have no choice.
My condition can only get more debilitating, besides, it would be difficult, nigh impossible, to drive 'Hatty' with either no, or very little eye sight. I have to prepare for all eventualities, it's just how it is.
So, having enjoyed the company of a RRSS I and a RRSS 2, plus the company of my beloved 'Hatty', I have to contend myself with what has gone before as opposed to what I could have looked forward to in the future had life taken a different turn.
How does one relinquish such passion that has been within one since childhood? Maybe the simple answer is, you can't, but you just have to accept what is, and move on.
Having the company of such a beautiful lady is all consuming and has never had anything to do with money. But with money always required and funds tight anyway, I have to accept the inevitable that poor health will not, from here on in, allow me the luxury of continuing my love affair with 'Hatty'.
Life takes many twists and turns. Sometimes you can run but can't hide.
I now have no choice but to put every effort and penny I have into contending with my health issues, and I will.
My health problems may take my sight and my sanity, but they can't take from me the absolute pleasure I have enjoyed every second, in the company of 'Hatty'. She has always been so much more than a car. She has kept me sane and given me strength to fight on. Sadly, whilst I may have won several battles, life was never going to allow me to win the war.
I've been so lucky up to now. But my luck just ran out.
Thank you for your kind messages.
'Hatty' will be yet another such vehicle with a story attached to her. I've always loved hearing and finding out stories behind Bentley's and Rolls Royce's. Some happy, some sad, some amazing, some amusing. In a way it's what makes them the cars they are.
If money was no object then I'd obviously keep her and use her for my hospital trips. What better way would there be as regular Lumbar Punctures mean I have to travel back lying down as flat as possible, 'Hatty' would be ideal in that respect. But sadly there is no possibility of that. Life has it's own way of making decisions for you.
I count myself fortunate that I will always be able to remember (hopefully anyway), my times with 'Hatty'. The smell of her leather, her beauty and grace, her presence. So many people never get that opportunity, therefore I'm a lucky guy in that respect.
To think I'm saying all this about a car. But when one is touched by, and has a passion for, such stunning British craftsmanship, once smitten, always smitten. You can't fight it.
I now have to swap passion for practical. It won't be easy, but needs must.
'Hatty' will be yet another such vehicle with a story attached to her. I've always loved hearing and finding out stories behind Bentley's and Rolls Royce's. Some happy, some sad, some amazing, some amusing. In a way it's what makes them the cars they are.
If money was no object then I'd obviously keep her and use her for my hospital trips. What better way would there be as regular Lumbar Punctures mean I have to travel back lying down as flat as possible, 'Hatty' would be ideal in that respect. But sadly there is no possibility of that. Life has it's own way of making decisions for you.
I count myself fortunate that I will always be able to remember (hopefully anyway), my times with 'Hatty'. The smell of her leather, her beauty and grace, her presence. So many people never get that opportunity, therefore I'm a lucky guy in that respect.
To think I'm saying all this about a car. But when one is touched by, and has a passion for, such stunning British craftsmanship, once smitten, always smitten. You can't fight it.
I now have to swap passion for practical. It won't be easy, but needs must.
I'm fortunate to be looked after by the leader in his field, a true 'Pioneer'.
I was out in 'Hatty' the other day and spotted a friend of mine who was out in his Willow Gold RR SS II and, what stood out for me was the tyres, they looked fantastic, so I went to Halfords earlier today to get some Meguiars products to prepare 'Hatty' for transition.
I've always loved the joy of keeping her 'right', ensuring she always sparkles, then getting inside the cabin, closing the door and shutting the world out. Is it escapism they call it? Whatever it is, it works for me.
So often, the night before taking her out, the excitement has been wonderful. That feeling in my tummy knowing that in just a few hours I'll get that buzz, that joy, that oomph which will take me to another place away from what life has thrust upon me. I'm sure a lot of people have and need a release from life, and 'Hatty' is mine.
It is to the credit of those designers, engineers and workforce who made such cars that I owe my thanks for creating such beauty that brings so much joy. Call me daft if you wish, but last year I went on the Bentley factory tour and drove there in 'Hatty', only to find a tear in my eye as we approached the factory. It felt like 'Hatty' had arrived home to her place of birth.
She's a car for goodness sake, not a person, why on earth did I feel like that?, But then again, does it matter why? No!
I was out in 'Hatty' the other day and spotted a friend of mine who was out in his Willow Gold RR SS II and, what stood out for me was the tyres, they looked fantastic, so I went to Halfords earlier today to get some Meguiars products to prepare 'Hatty' for transition.
I've always loved the joy of keeping her 'right', ensuring she always sparkles, then getting inside the cabin, closing the door and shutting the world out. Is it escapism they call it? Whatever it is, it works for me.
So often, the night before taking her out, the excitement has been wonderful. That feeling in my tummy knowing that in just a few hours I'll get that buzz, that joy, that oomph which will take me to another place away from what life has thrust upon me. I'm sure a lot of people have and need a release from life, and 'Hatty' is mine.
It is to the credit of those designers, engineers and workforce who made such cars that I owe my thanks for creating such beauty that brings so much joy. Call me daft if you wish, but last year I went on the Bentley factory tour and drove there in 'Hatty', only to find a tear in my eye as we approached the factory. It felt like 'Hatty' had arrived home to her place of birth.
She's a car for goodness sake, not a person, why on earth did I feel like that?, But then again, does it matter why? No!
Gassing Station | Bentley & Rolls Royce | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff