Description
A very individually designed sports saloon on a very early MK VI chassis. The original bespoke coachwork was created especially for Roderick McLeod, who, it seems, liked to be different! It is of a design which harks back to pre-war styling, including the use of separate headlamps, cutaway wings, etc, but most of all having a sense of proportion rarely seen on cars such as this. We are aware that over a period of twenty odd years, McLeod had six cars built to his own designs, all of which share at least some of the styling features of this one. The body is light in weight, enhancing the car's performance, as well as being light and airy inside, due to the slim windscreen pillars, the generous area of glass used, and the perspex 'plexiglass' panel in the roof. There are many unusual touches, all of which enhance the car's individual character, as you will see in the photos. We have a file of invoices detailing work and maintenance carried out in recent years, including a full engine overhaul in 2013, costing, it seems, about £18, 000. As you can perhaps imagine, the car runs very nicely! In very smart condition, with appealing leather interior in good order, and the car is offered MoT tested until January 2022, serviced and ready to go.
Chassis No. B22AK Reg No. TBA
Snippets: McLeod & O'Connor
Roderick George McLeod (1892/ 1986) was the son of an Australian gold-miner, in May 1915 McLeod enlisted with the 14th Field Artillery and in Sept he embarked for Europe. In August 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on the 4th October 1917 “Conspicuous gallantry & devotion to duty ..... by his fearlessness & splendid example he inspired all ranks with confidence & kept the battery in action”. After WWI McLeod remained in England and married an English nurse, he used his engineering experience and set up his own firm R. G. McLeod Tools Ltd, producing Carbide powder, and later the alloys Chromel and Alumel. Roderick McLeod became a director of the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company and during WWII the firm produced pivoting sections for the Mulberry Harbour and other items the British War Office. Roderick McLeod kept B22AK for just 5 years until 1952 when he acquired his 4th Bentley a more modern MK VI, again to his own special design! The 2nd owner was the splendidly named Dr Valentine Rex O’Connor who married a Miss Peach. Dr Valentine was the son of Dr Denis Victor O’Connor (1888/ 1946) who during WWI served with the RAMC as did Valentine O’Connor in WWII. After Valentine O’Connor qualified he joined his father’s practice at Rotherwood, Leam Terrace, Leamington Spa.
