BONNIE, OUR VINTAGE 1950 BENTLEY MK VI
Chauffeur driven | Photoshoots | Event Prop
Bonnie our Bentley is a new addition to the family at Huntsham Court. Many guests ask about local vintage car hire, but the costs for delivery and return are often prohibitive. So, we have especially bought Bonnie the Bentley so that guests at Huntsham Court have a sensibly priced option to hire a wonderful vintage car for photos or even with a chauffeur for the drive to and from the local church or station. Bonnie is impeccably glamorous (and reliable) with an amazing history and we are delighted that Bonnie’s next chapter is with us at Huntsham Court.
Chauffeur & Transport (£380)
4Hr package includes: Chauffeur driven round trip from Huntsham Court (up to 20 miles radius) with time before and after at Huntsham Court for photos. Can be used for multiple trips to and from the Huntsham village church for the bride, groom and immediate family. Or collecting relatives from the station. (4hrs)
Photoshoot Package | Event Prop (£190)
Brought to Huntsham Court by a chauffeur for a photoshoot on the driveway and forecourt of Huntsham Court. Bonnie the Bentley can also be hired as a static prop focal point to serve your festival style free champagne and belini bar from it’s drop down boot: think Goodwood revival picnic, wicker baskets and grand ice buckets. A great looking focal point for your outdoor drinks reception. You (or your caterer) supply the drinks and bar staff and we supply the car and an attendant. Plus you can have it parked up as a fantastic vintage style backdrop to outdoor cake cutting and speaches. (2hrs)
All day transport | Photos | Prop (£500)
6 consecutive hours with one driver/attendant to include both above. (6hrs)
ABOUT BONNIE THE BENTLEY
This very handsome, Bentley MKV1 is a late small bore 4.25 Litre model made by Rolls Royce in 1950 with a rather interesting history. We have seen copies of the car’s Rolls Royce chassis record card and other historic documents. Chassis B25GT was built at Rolls Royce in Crewe, finished in Tudor Grey with a pinstripe to match the interior of light blue hide with blue piping and grey headcloth. Known as one of the best and most reliable understated yet sophisticated cars of its day.
Bonnie is available to hire at certain times throughout the year subject to both car and driver availability as well as weather & other seasonal conditions. If you are interested, please speak to your dedicated event manager who can tell you more and put you in touch with the driver. We can normally only confirm Bonnie’s availability to hire up to 5 months in advance of your hire dates.
Please note: Due to taxi licensing rules, these cars are only available for wedding bookings and by prior arrangement, subject to availability. If being used chauffeur driven, they can only be used for journeys to or from either Huntsham Court or a church service. Bonnie can seat up to 3 passengers plus the chauffeur and can only be booked for journeys within a 20 mile radius of Huntsham Court. Bertie the convertible can seat up to 3 passengers plus the chauffeur and can only be booked for journeys with a 30 mile radius of Huntsham. The chauffeur will happily attach wedding ribbons supplied by you to the vehicles, and we recommend you buy the style and colour of ribbon to suit you by searching for ‘wedding car ribbon’ on amazon.
Click here for the T&Cs for Vehicle Hire in our download section of the website.
BONNIE’S FAMOUS FIRST OWNER
Miss Nancy Quenelda Radcliffe Platt of Henley-on-Thames
The MKV1 was originally sold on April 26th, 1950, by Rolls Royce subsidiary Park Ward & Co to a Miss Nancy Quenelda Radcliffe Platt of Henley-on-Thames. The car was first registered on May 1st. She was a remarkable woman, then aged fifty-five, who in the 1920s and 30s had been an accomplished tennis player. Records show she played competitively in Cannes, Monte Carlo and at Wimbledon. She specified Dunlop rather than India tyres for her Bentley. An interesting and an independently very wealthy lady, Miss Radcliffe Platt, born in 1895 survived to the age of ninety-seven. National newspapers in 1993 reported a ‘riches go begging’ story when estate solicitors were searching for her relatives, potential beneficiaries of her £8.2 million estate. She kept her Tudor Grey Bentley for just over two years.
BONNIE’S FAMOUS SECOND OWNER
Sir Jock Campbell
The second owner was Sir Jock Campbell, an extraordinary man who in 1966 was made Baron Campbell of Escan by then Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Jock Campbell was the chairman of Booker Brothers, McConnell & Co Ltd, now the giant Booker PLC. As a member of the Fabian Society, Jock Campbell’s key message was quite simple: People are more important than ships, shops and sugar estates. Jock was an old friend and golfing partner of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond spy novels, who by all probability has ridden in or driven this car. He had always loved great literature and became instrumental in the initiation of the foremost British literature prize – The Booker Prize.
BONNIE’S SUBSEQUENT OWNERS
Passed between loving owners
On May 11th that same year, 1959, it was bought by Rolls Royce coachbuilders and dealers James Young for £1,000. Just three days later they sold it on to a new owner in Sevenoaks.
At Huntsham, Court you can host the type and style of ceremony to suit you. Firstly, civil ceremonies our state rooms or under the ancient dovecot in the garden. Secondly, religious & blessing services of different religions in several lovely local churches. Thirdly humanist ceremonies wherever you fancy across the property and grounds. Not to mention a tailormade service lead by your family and friends. So many choices!