DRIVING the latest generation of Bentley's super saloon, the Flying Spur recently evoked memories of my first Bentley drive as a young motoring journalist in the 1960s.

Being at such a tender age, the Bentley press fleet, as it then, was certainly not on offer, but a visit to a friendly car dealer sparked thequestion from the boss: ‘Have you ever driven a Bentley?'

In truth I had not so I was walked over to the car lot and there in all its glory was a late 1940s Bentley Mk VI in black, gleaming and lording it over the ranks of also rans.

Happily I was on the company's insurance, was handed the keys and off I went.

The Mk VI was, together with the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, the first product from the Rolls-Royce Bentley's then new Crewe factory which hit the ground running with the Mk VI and Wraith just after the war.

The MK VI has a direct link with the Flying Spur because it was the first Bentley with a factory built body. Of course many customers opted for coachbuilt versions but the standard steel was the mainstream choice.

The quality of design of the all-steel bodies left little to be desired in terms of elegance and luxury and the car exhibited a timeless look which still makes it a desirable drive in a new century.

But the problem was the quality of the steel used. Of course Bentley went for the best available, but what was on offer after hostilities with the Axis powers ceased was pretty dreadful.

A number of examples exhibited serious rust problems and owners often offloaded them. The result was that by the late 1960s and early 1970s you could pick up a Mk VI for a few hundred pounds.

But many survived and have been beautifully maintained as a testament to this amazing project from Crewe.

The car I drove was typical Bentley. Rear hinged ‘suicide' doors, seats that you literally sank into, gearchange on the right on the floor, just like the 1929 racers, flip-out direction indicators and a big, powerful 4,257cc six-cylinder engine.

This was a pre-war design and solid as a rock in terms of driving qualities. It imparted a somewhat sedate driving experience and you soon found your driving style adapting to its smooth, unflurried way of motoring. But don't be fooled. This car had a fine turn of speed and before you knew itthe speedo needle was ambling up to 70mph.

What this car did for me was kindle a lifetime interest in Bentley cars, something that has never diminished, despite the number of continental exotics that have passed through my care.

The Mk VI, for all its rust problems was the perfect foundation for the Bentley models that came afterwards - cars like the Flying Spur that still reaches for the sky in terms of speed.

But in this respect the Spur can hit 200mph - galaxies ahead of the dear old MK VI's 70mph cruise.