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A British Bentley in 1950s Paris
This is a rather special photograph of which we’d love to learn a little more. Firstly, there is the car. A Bentley, yes. But not quite an ordinary one. Do you recognize it?
Then there is the street scene, undoubtedly Parisian we should think. But where exactly could this shot have been taken? Once again, we’d love to find out.
Last but not least there is the Friday Lady. Could she be an actress or a model of any fame? Again we don’t know. Please enlighten us!
Update: Fully enlightened on all points. See comment below.
(Words editor, picture PWC archive)
Published:
Friday April 12th, 2019
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Comments
Ian Raymond
16 April 2019, 12:27
The sign on the building to the left appears to say "Annales des Justices de Pau", which would suggest a street in Bordeaux? Or I may be entirely wrong!
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Brice Cunningham
15 April 2019, 18:03
... and maybe a peugeot 203 and further back a Renault 4cv... Behind the Traction 11... What would be the blue one in the far back? Did someone suggest a Bentley?
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John A Layzell
14 April 2019, 17:42
No doubt Gerd is well informed and correct, and it also has a Graber Alvis appearance about it!
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Larry A. Lewis
14 April 2019, 15:56
Yes, I see it- the angled trim on the grill- A Georges Irat- powered by Traction running gear!
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James BANDY
14 April 2019, 14:33
Et al,
I am not completely sure, but the particular Bently was once in a garage in McDonald, Pennsylvania.....It had been found near Hershey Pennsylvania in the '80's....transported to McDonald the owner of the garage, Bill Bauer had the car in pieces.....evidently at somewhat of a later date (Months) a gentleman from England arrived and purchased the car for the owner....Mark Wallack of near New York City...….I seemed to have seen the car later at "Retromobile" in Paris at a date of the 90's or so.
Interesting
jpb
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I am not completely sure, but the particular Bently was once in a garage in McDonald, Pennsylvania.....It had been found near Hershey Pennsylvania in the '80's....transported to McDonald the owner of the garage, Bill Bauer had the car in pieces.....evidently at somewhat of a later date (Months) a gentleman from England arrived and purchased the car for the owner....Mark Wallack of near New York City...….I seemed to have seen the car later at "Retromobile" in Paris at a date of the 90's or so.
Interesting
jpb
George Giese
14 April 2019, 13:51
Is it possible that there are two Bentleys in this photo? What is the light coloured car in the background with the sidemount on the left side? It looks like it could be a prewar Derby Bentley (1934 - 1940).
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terry
14 April 2019, 10:26
I must admit thinking about it I thought that there were more than 1 of these Bentley Mark VI Cresta?
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terry
14 April 2019, 10:23
extremely detailed response from Gerd!
thanks terry
Australia
Facel Vega HK500 owner
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thanks terry
Australia
Facel Vega HK500 owner
Alan Spencer
12 April 2019, 20:21
The yellow roadster looks like a Georges Irat (front wheel drive) from 1937 or 1938.
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robert kornblum
14 April 2019, 16:06
Exactly my words ! The yellow and black roadster in the background looks like a Georges Irat MDU 1938ish.
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Larry A. Lewis
12 April 2019, 16:14
What make it a great photo is that there are two Tractions in it! But what is that little yellow roadster?
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Gerd Klioba
12 April 2019, 09:56
The car is the 1951 Bentley Mark VI Cresta II, bodied by Facel Metallon, chassis B98KM. Jean Daninos of Facel Véga fame built it for his wife. Although he hoped to sell some more cars of this design, it remained a one-off. The picture above was taken at the Place Dauphine on the Île de la Cité in Paris.
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