1 Driver, 1 Bentley, 24 Hours of Le Mans | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat

The Le Mans 24hrs race has borne witness to some incredible feats of endurance in its 100 year history. But as the race celebrates its centenary in 2023 with the new Hypercars from manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac and Toyota, we drive a Bentley from the 1930s that competed in 1950 and finished eighth. Why? because its driver (there’s a clue in there) did something extraordinary.
Eddie Hall (not the World’s Strongest Man) is the only person in the history of Le Mans to drive the entire 24-hour race on his own. What’s more, he did this when he was 50 years old and in a car that was 16 years old at the time. It wasn’t the intention of the ACO that anyone should drive the whole race single-handed, but they hadn’t specifically forbidden it because they presumably thought no one would be mad enough. After Hall’s exploits, however, it was written into the rules, so his feat will never be repeated.
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The car is interesting too, because it is an early Derby Bentley that started life with a 3.5-litre engine but was upgraded to 4.25-litres by the factory and also acquired new bodywork in 1936. In fact Rolls-Royce (who owned Bentley at the the time) didn’t want to go racing, but the company did agree to support Hall in his exploits. Today the car belongs to The Revs Institute in Florida which keeps it in fine running order.
We also snuck in a quick drive in the closest modern equivalent to the old car, namely a new Bentley Continental GTC S. Suffice to say that if one were to attempt 24hrs non-stop in this turbocharged V8 with its massage seats and NAIM stereo, it would be a relative piece of cake. Of course the weather was delightful when Henry was driving this car that possesses a roof and rather more soggy when he was in the old, roofless car. C’est la vie.
We hope you enjoy the film - are there any other pre-war cars that you’d like to see Henry Catchpole try to squeeze his lanky frame into? If so, let us know in the comments down below. Many thanks, as ever, for watching, sharing, subscribing and remembering to switch on your headlights when the weather is foggy. And if you’re in the US and you haven’t done so already, please do think about joining the Hagerty Drivers Club - not only is it great, it also helps us to keep making videos like this! bit.ly/Join-HD...
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[@LWVH81]

I drive a 1936 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre, too and it's a fantastic car. Keeps up with modern traffic, cruises easily at 75 MPH, tops out at 90 MPH, brakes are great, and the car is comfortable with lots of class and style. Still going strong 87 years later.

[@TexasScout]

My grandfather told me, born 1906, the first time he ever went 90 mph was in a Stutz bearcat. He marveled at the age he lived in, born before the age of flight and then get up to see Mann land on the moon. I feel blessed.

[@amirnaim3675]

Stutz bearcat was the car that erwin baker drove right?

[@TheAwesomeFossum]

That really is an insane time-frame to have lived through. Just thinking about it that way is incredible. My grandparents were born in 1940. Crazy.

[@MegaRetr]

Henry Catchpole Thank you

[@denzelkhonje4759]

The selection of music for this video, top notch.. Presentation of content, out of this world. Simply out of this world

[@punjabeeplaya]

I love the mix of excellent production quality and Catchpole's passion for cars and driving to tell these wonderful automotive history stories that most of us don't know. Keep making these!

[@glock22357]

It's advertising. And Catchpole is a douchebag whose automotive journalistic bona fides are minimal at best. He's mostly a product of the social media age, which combines slick advertising masquerading as journalism, and massive self-promotion.

[@mitchell-wallisforce7859]

Truly the maddest of lads. Cheers, indeed.

[@ImStokze]

Fantastic old chap, this is what hagerty is amazing for, simply little stories like this, nothing more nothing less, Just what i needed, Thank you Hagerty

[@anesennaidoo5279]

Keep it up Mr Catchpole. Brilliant writing and story telling. I learn so much with your videos. Thank you.

[@docslappy8946]

Great video, much appreciated. The Wonderful Eddie Hall is worth another video for his RAC TT races in Ulster. One of only 2 men to race in all the pre-war events at the Ards circuit, he then had another go after the war when it came back to Ulster at the Dundrod circuit. He drove in all sorts of cars but preferred the big Bentleys and Rolls, which were perhaps over handicapped (WO certainly thought so). And he used a novel fuel tactic in the last Ards race...

[@MrBfeboi]

Thank you Henry and Hagerty for that amazing history lesson

[@Derf1313]

I keep loving the history lessons, well, & the photography, & perhaps the scenery... Oh, and The Cars, lol! Thanx !

[@michaelbardwell6398]

Thank you Hagerty for keeping this rich history of not just a passion but something that incorporates the fabric of our lives as automotive lovers young and old.

[@Hagerty]

Thank you for being a fan!

[@manuelllaneras1313]

Welcome Henry! Many time without your fantastic work!

[@brettkoski]

This video gives strong Victory by Design series vibes, with Alain de Cadenet. Absolutely splendid. Thanks for all the wonderful content Hagerty!

[@greatheightsu]

Perfect time for this after the Porche Le Mans documentary. Because no, I hadn't heard of the Bentley boys but it piqued my interest. Thanks Henry.

[@andybroer651]

Thanks Hagerty and Henry, lovely video

[@juanmaldonado3281]

SUPER. AWESOME. WE. LOVE IT. WE. WANT. MORE. IS. SO. IMSPIRING. AND. HISTORICAL. TNKS. FOR. THIS. TRIP BACK IN TIME. AWESOME 100%

[@kevsting809]

‘Cheers Old Boy’

[@jep1912]

Had to be a true grit Yorkshireman. What a chap.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

In that car, that truly is an amazing feat! Thanks for the tale, Henry! Very cool!✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@4unkb0y]

Great vid, thanks Henry.

[@johnnytenjobs]

Nicely done Mr C.

[@oogieobanyon]

Zounds, a Hagerty post about something other than Mustang/Camaro/Ferrari/SBC/crate engine junkrod. Thanks. Even those looking down at anything other than a Cricklewood ("real") Bentley admitted the new 3 1/2-liter Rolls-Royce "Bentley" was a good car, despite its engine based on the "small horsepower" 1922 Rolls-Royce 20, itself based on the 1920 Buick Six, though in the words of one Brit motoring journalist of the day, "not so good." Well done.

[@R8andGT3Fan]

It took me a while to watch this video cause I'm not into veeery old cars ( know, I know, my bad), but I must say it was obviously worth it. Loved the old footage, and it's always nice to hear Henry! 😎

[@joshuagraham3222]

Beautiful car. Work of art actually.

[@josecora1917]

Awesome car !!

[@jbtc-zn9ih]

Pierre Levegh fuhr 1952 ebenfalls ganz alleine das 24 Stunden Rennen von Le Mans. Er führte mit sieben Runden Vorsprung, ehe er eine Stunde und zehn Minuten vor Ende Rennens wegen eines Motorschadens aufgeben musste. Für mich ist das die größte Leistung, die je in Le Mans gezeigt wurde. Die Leistung von Eddie Hall ist natürlich auch grandios. Als MG Besitzer war mir Eddie Hall natürlich ein Begriff.

[@MilosBrajkovic-rc3ik]

To my knowledge, Levegh crashed the gearbox, becouse of his fatigue. But what a heroic endeavor! Sorry for my sloppy English.

[@WayApp]

Absolutely mesmerizing! .🌹

[@johnsim3722]

Not famous, yet somehow I recognise the Eddie Hall name. Beautiful car.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Top Ten, Lemans finish, in a 16 year old Darby Bentley, by a Solo Driver! Who could Top That One!!!🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@kevincoombs7348]

Wonderful line up of Bentley’s at Castle Combe circuit earlier this year as a qualifier to Le Mans Historique.

[@dmk0210]

Never Stop Driving indeed!

[@oogieobanyon]

Good one!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

This was a great idea for a video!

[@somerandomfella]

Would've been a treat if Henry narrated the Racing with giants Porsche video.

[@Imdeadlydan]

Fantastic as always Henry, thank you, also, after the war there was quite a LOT of Pervitin left over, amphetamines may still have been legal in UK anyway, so ...lol in that light, driving flat out for 24hrs and not crashing, seems ...easily doable hehe, but still, driving 24hrs flat out and not crashing IS still a heck of an achievement. Again, many thanks Henry, always first class work, fantastic locations/backdrops, informative, interesting, and well presented, have a great day my automotive brother.

[@HenryCatchpole]

Thank you, Dan! I actually had a line in there about the possible use of Benzedrine or something to help him through, but in light of the fact I have no evidence either way I didn't think it was fair to cast aspersions so edited the line out. Anyway, really glad you enjoyed the film!

[@Imdeadlydan]

@@HenryCatchpole I look at it this way, if it wasnt illegal, and it probably wasnt, then they werent doing anything wrong, from todays perspective, of course, it has decades of bad around those drugs now, perhaps like a driver today having a redbull or something for a pick me up, just with a little more ...oomph hehe, but maybe in a few more decades, redbull MIGHT be considered in a similar fashion O.o lol * its a funny thing humour* :P The twisting and turning laws of the land, they had no data like we do now around those things. Fair play i say, just another tool in the toolbox to get the best from the car and driver, legendary either way.

[@richardbrayshaw570]

Nice one, Henry! Cheerio!

[@markfoggy9933]

I've done 15 Le Mans with the bikes. Great story.

[@eliebouroufail7107]

I came here for Henry, for wherever he goes I go...

[@csgarage3682]

Please allow me to compare you with Alain de Cadenet I always look forward to your next video Keep it up !!

[@kristoffermangila]

Eddie R. Hall competed against the entries from Cadillac (the Collier brothers' car at 5:42) and Briggs Cunningham's (in)famous "Le Monstre".

[@mikejames4540]

Eddie Hall was director of Ben Hall and Son (Woollen Mill) manufacturers of women’s wear. The factory was in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield. He shared the director’s role with the person who owned the house in which I now live. There is, therefore, a distinct possibility that Eddie was welcomed into the house and that the car featured in the film sat on my drive… And there is an entry on Wikipedia for Edward Ramsden Hall.

[@ernesttravers7517]

Excellent video

[@scottmartin356]

I drive a convertible, but I love the closed cabin look of the Le Mans car (also the year of my birth)

[@billnorblat4047]

He filled his need for Speed

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Awesome 👍

[@davidpeters6536]

Interesting story and a fine car.

[@theanimelad416]

It may be old but its better than gold

[@3321far]

Ahh, the magic of benzedrine.

[@paulhelman2376]

There was a very similar machine(Bentley with two seat body work) at the U?S. Merchant Marine Academy when I,, was stationed there in the late 60's. Walter Chrysler had donated his estate on King's Point as the Academy'slocatio early in WW2 and possibly the Bentley with it?

[@joezingher4770]

There was a point where Rolls Royce was manufactured in the US. I'd love to know the backstory to that. Did they do it in other countries as well?

[@althejazzman]

I can't imagine concentrating on driving for 24 hours straight and having to relieve myself in the seat too. At the end it looks like he celebrated with a pint of beer, as if the ordeal was nothing more than a country drive!

[@ABROOKSH]

Top. Top, top, top Love it

[@stefbacum4454]

Just WOW !!

[@TravelStyleNews]

Great story, what to make the film!!

[@mrj-charles6383]

I would be more impressed if someone completed the race in this Bentley for the 100th anniversary race.

[@noname1679]

Not that I'm taking anything away from the drivers's dedication but back then everyone was popping amphetamines like they were vitamins...I presume? Correct me if I'm wrong. I drove for 10 hours on that once like it was nothing, I can see how one could race for such a long time. Still, nonetheless an insanely impressive feat! And a great video from Henry again!

[@TheCreamRisesToTheTop]

Eddie was famously thirsty at almost all times, limiting his God-like abilities.

[@sebastianjuppscharwachter9022]

Dehydrated

[@cookncrack5334]

where is Jason Cammisa Revelations? i miss it i want it i need it

[@Hagerty]

Sooooon! 🥳

[@Nadbull49]

Awesome video as usual obviously. On another note, I've always wanted to ask.. What glasses are those? I want to get them. Would appreciate if you can provide a name or better yet a link😬

[@HenryCatchpole]

Really glad you enjoyed the film. The glasses are actually very cheap ones from Specsavers! Means I can have several pairs and it matters less when I inevitably lose them/sit on them!

[@Nadbull49]

@@HenryCatchpole Haha I can relate Awesome man! Keep doing what you're doing. I'll keep following

[@GloriousHeavenlyCourt]

Hello there, 🆒 cars.

[@dougnokia]

Cool❤❤❤

[@Arthagnou]

A Stock 1929 Duesenburg J did 119mph and the Supercharged version did 150-160...

[@oogieobanyon]

No. Factory wrung 116 mph from a 3.8 axled (4:1, 4.1:1 most common, 4.3 also offered) J w/ optional 5.75:1 compression in place of usual 5.2, windshield lowered, headlights removed. The "Mormon Meteor" SJ might've turned in what you cite, but that was wildly tuned in a racing/Bonneville body. Don't believe everything you read about Duesenbergs. It took them nine years and several iterations to find homes for just 480 of them, obsolete two years after they were introduced.

[@jep1912]

More UK content Henry?

[@AngelLopez-hc2df]

❤ Toyota Corolla GR❤

[@jeffkauffman1651]

Is this a lost episode of Cholmondley Warner?

[@iowa_don]

I hope you are planning a thorough detailing for that car before you take it back to Florida.

[@ervinszabo9287]

You all heard of..... never once any of those names..:) I guess I'm too young :)

[@ImmortalDuke]

I should buy a boat

[@philmoore9829]

It's very hard to understand what is being said.

[@Hagerty]

We have captions available in both English and Spanish. Click the "CC" button in your player.

[@PERFILBAJONIMAIZ]

Sería buena idea que antes de que te subieras a esos hermosos autos, por respeto te dieras un buen baño primero

[@astaluegmisterios2409]

Davin, plase, this is not interessant. only Davin.....the best.

[@AwesomeBob]

The motion blur on Henry's face as he walks into the scene in the first shot is super painful to watch. Please check your shutter speed and preview your videos for things like this before publishing.

[@AwesomeBob]

Oh, I see, you also shifted focus or used auto-focus. Don't do that. Just have a static focus where Henry hits his mark walking in.

[@1112223333111]

quit begging for money ffs!

[@8359s]

That guy is so boring, he makes the most exciting cars dull. Watch his 959 review...

[@sublime929]

Dude needs a haircut asap

[@oogieobanyon]

T h a t is all you get from this nice video? Worry about your own hair.

[@sublime929]

@@oogieobanyon I can see your tears from here.

[@claudiomarangone614]

Who he is, makes his hairstyle irrelevant. His hair is part of his charm. Why do you care?

[@paulyandle6081]

OMG...you displayed a photo on the Bentley with the first entry by Cadillac ( a V-8 coupe) in that 1950 Le Mans. Caddy is currently running THIRD overall, right now, 6-10-23, with a 600+ hp aspirated entry !

[@Roberioalvesdasigmail.ComSilva]

Eu sou apaixonado nesse clássico meu amigo muito obrigado por mim enviar ❤❤ amei o vídeo

[@Roberioalvesdasigmail.ComSilva]

Esse ai cor verde eu ❤❤