A 100-Year-Old Man Got Back a Classic Car He Drove in 1964
Isabel Armiento
· 4 min read
Eddie Hughes was in for a surprise when he turned 100 years old, and his family gifted him a Bentley S3, the very same model he had driven over 60 years earlier, in 1964. The Wiltshire-based man had driven the
classic car
as a chauffeur for his employer Mr. Bell, for a year, and had called it "the best car he had ever driven." Eddie’s son, Ron, had spent 20 years searching for a Bentley S3 for his father, deciding it would be the perfect gift for his father’s centennial birthday. It was Ron’s son, and Eddie’s grandson, James, who ultimately found the car by tracking its
registration
number: UES 444.
Reunited with a classic car from over 60 years ago
According to the
Gazette & Herald
, Ron said, "I had looked all over the world for the car, after dad told me it was the best car he had ever driven…I contacted Rolls-Royce, the Bentley clubs and car clubs all over the world, and it never came up." He shipped the car from the U.S., where it was on sale at the Beverly Hills Car Club, over to the UK. According to
Fox News
, the total cost was $44,000, though the model was in need of some additional repairs. Ron added that the brown sedan was "complete with its original parts, but its running condition was poor until it was fixed." Eddie’s reaction to the gift was one of surprise and joy. "I just could not believe it. It was wonderful to see it again," said Eddie. "I was very emotional when I saw it. I never knew anything about it."
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This classic car still runs smoothly, even 60 years later
The Bentley may be old, but it can still drive like a charm. Eddie said of his classic car, "It still drives excellently. You feel safe in a car like that, and when driven properly, it drives very smoothly."
He added, "It has a 6.25-liter V8 engine and a top speed of 120 mph and does about 18 miles to the gallon at best. When it came out of the factory, it had seat belts fitted front and rear, sun dim glass windows and refrigerated air conditioning."
According to the dealership, the car also "comes with an automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, wood trim, rear picnic trays, white line tires, and solid wheels."
Sadly, Eddie is handing over his driver’s license after 83 years of driving, meaning that he won’t get to drive his new (old) car. "I’ll be leaving that to my family," he said.
Insurance still matters for classic cars
While classic cars can be fun, their drivers need to be wary when shopping for
car insurance
. Classic cars require different kinds of insurance than their contemporary counterparts, called "classic car insurance." Luckily, Jerry
has curated all the information you need about what classic car insurance is, what it covers, and how to purchase it. Classic car insurance lets you insure your prized vehicle for its appraised value. Note that there is no one set definition of a "classic" car, however, so you’ll need to check with your insurer to see what their definition is. Off-road vehicles are never eligible for classic car insurance.
Moreover, there may be additional criteria which cars must have to qualify as "classic." This may include criteria such as minimal use, good driving record, and secure storage. Classic car insurance may include various types of coverage, such as
collision coverage
, liability insurance
, comprehensive coverage, roadside assistance, spare parts coverage, and more. On average, classic car insurance is less expensive than your everyday car insurance. Jerry can help you compare rates from top insurance companies and select the deal that’s best for you—even when it comes to your classic car.
