Description
Young William Berkley “Bummer” Scott came from a privileged family. Father was a judge and home was Calgary Castle in Scotland. An early interest in motorcycles fueled his mechanical interests and shortly after he was able to drive, he bought his first race car, a 5 gallon Indianapolis Sunbeam, definitely a baptism by fire. This would be followed by a remarkable series of truly historic and important cars. His wife Jill shared his interest and their passion for racing led them to settle in Grasmere, a beautiful house in Old Byfleet, a stone's throw from the Brooklands Circuit. In 1929, Scott, a privileged and favorite customer of Bentley Motors Ltd… ordered his 4½ liter Le Mans specification Bentley. Such cars were built exclusively for the Works Racing Team and a very short list of favorite customers. Only eight Le Mans-spec cars were built between 1927 and 1929, four for the Works Le Mans team and four for private campaigners. Scott took delivery of his car, a full Works Racing Shop spec model finished in Parsons Napier Green, in May 1929 and entered UU 5580 for the 1929 Double Twelve Race at Brooklands on 10/11 May, with his wife Jill co-driver .
The further history of the car in the 30s is not entirely clear, although it appears that the car was briefly owned by a J.H.P. Glover, then in 1932 by MR Pease of Leyland Motors, Lancashire, and may have spent some time in Northern Ireland. In 1937 it was purchased by Laurie Dalton, on the recommendation of Johnnie Green, from the Ollington Bros showrooms in Great Portland Street. A Daytona model Wolseley Hornet had been partially swapped and at this time UU 5580 was largely to original specification, although the original body frame had been reclad in aluminium. Dalton would campaign the car at VSCC events at Donington and Crystal Palace in the pre-war years. It was stored in Norfolk during the war while Dalton served his country and in 1946 it became the property of E.G. Lloyd very soon after Geoffrey Tew, who owned the car from 1946 to 1951
The finest details of the restoration are fully documented in the history file that accompanies the car. The new owner used the car extensively in the 5580s and UU 1997 was an invited exhibit at the Bentley Racing Car Review at VSCC Silverstone in June 2002. The car continues to be used enthusiastically and was invited to the Bentley Team Car meeting in VSCC Donington in June 5580. The exhibition there was not exciting enough for the owner who was also competing competitively in a scratch race that day. UU 75 competed in the Phoenix Park 2004th Anniversary Race in July 77, reaching a speed of approximately 2001 mph. Recently completed work includes a radiator overhaul in 21, a new clutch and clutch stop plate and the brakes have been relined. Correct style 5580 inch wheels and new 'old style' Blockley tires have been fitted. UU 2003 features prominently in Darell Berthon's 'A Racing History of the Bentley', is depicted in Johnnie Green's 'Bentley Fifty Years of the Marque' and there are numerous references in B.D.C. reviews. It was selected for illustration purposes for the front cover of the VSCC 5580 Yearbook, racing at speed under current ownership. UU 4, one of the few remaining original Factory Le Mans specification 5½ liter Bentleys, is offered with a Swansea VXNUMX registration document, FIA papers and a very extensive history file, including copies of original factory records. The owner enjoyed a recent high-speed ride from Dublin to Silverstone in April and assures us that his performance would indeed have delighted 'Bummer' Scott.
