Disad-Vantage Motorworks

In early 2010, I began searching for a left hand drive Bentley R-Type. I contacted several dealers who had previously advertised such cars and one in California, Charles Crail (see my review), informed me that a car he had sold a few months earlier would be coming back on the market. He explained that it had been traded in towards the purchase of another Bentley, the dealer involved in this transaction was Vantage Motorworks, and that the car was currently in route to Miami.

I contacted Mr. Gorman and explained that I was interested in this car. He told me that he had not yet seen the car and I asked that when the car arrived, would he please check it over thoroughly and let me know if it warranted my coming to Miami to see it. I explained that I live in Europe.

Several days later he sent me an email, extolling the virtues of the car, describing how “the engine runs exactly as it should and the transmission shifts very nicely with good kick down in passing gear” and “the body is very straight and the panel fit is good with no evidence of any previous accident damage” (direct quotes from his email - March 2010).

Based on this report, I immediately flew to Miami.

The car and the purchase

Upon my arrival, Mr. Gorman told me to take the car for a drive. After driving only a few blocks, I returned. The brakes were non-existent, the steering was so lose you could turn the wheel half way with no response, and the transmission slipped and kicked. There is no way that Mr. Gorman or anyone on his staff had driven this car. His previous email could not possibly be true.

He assured me that these were minor issues and that if I paid him an significant amount, over the initially indicated price, he would correct these problems and “make the car a Vantage Motorworks car” (his exact words). I agreed. I was also told Mr. Gorman that he was certain that the engine had undergone a complete rebuild by Gary Wales, a noted California classic car specialist and would not require any additional work. It was agreed that his workshop would undertake the restoration of all the woodwork, as the frame around the windshield had severe water damage - the result of "nothing more than an aged rubber seal around the windshield" - I was assured. I agreed, without any discussion, to his price for the car and this additional work. It should be made clear, that this was not meant to be a total restoration of the car, just the wood and a long list of identified mechanical and cosmetic issues.

At the time I purchased the car, I explained that I needed the car to be in Europe by the early summer so that I could participate in a series of rallies and events. I was assured that this was no problem and that the car would be, if not in "concours" condition cosmetically, in proper condition to drive in any rally. I paid the full price of the car at the time of purchase, with costs for repairs to be paid upon completion. I also agreed to supply any materials that were needed to return the car to its original condition - such as correct horns and the correct period radio. These were delivered within days.

On April 27, I received an email saying that work would be completed in 4-5 weeks - the first week in June. I arranged to be in Miami on June 12, with the understanding that all work would be completed and the car could go to the shipper. When I arrived, I found that the entire dashboard was removed, making it impossible to start or drive the car. I was told that all of the mechanical work had been completed. I was assured that the woodwork would be finished and the car re-assembled in approximately 2 weeks.

By the end of August, the work was still not done. During this period, I asked Mr. Gorman what he would charge to do a full restoration of the car. When I mentioned that his quote was higher than any others I had obtained from shops in Europe, he replied that they could not know the “true condition” of the car. I replied that I gave them all the information he had given to me about is condition, based on his inspection. His answer was, “That inspection was before you asked me to do the restoration.” That response says volumes about his integrity.

On September 3, 2010, 6 months after I purchased the car, I received the message: “The promised repairs to the R-type have been carried out and the car may be collected for shipment.”

When the car arrived at the shipper, it was reported to me that the brace that holds the front left door was not attached, making it impossible to properly close the door. When I reported this to Mr. Gorman, he stated that the door brace was attached when it left his shop, and it must have been unattached by the transporter. He said he would assume no responsibility for this or anything else wrong with the car. The car left Miami in mid October 16 and arrived in mid November.

It was clear, immediately, that most of the items which were supposed to be repaired were either not done or done partially - for example, new horns were installed but not connected in any way. Most of the cables to lights and dials in the dash had not been reconnected. Parts were missing. The car was a mess. I spent several thousand dollars just to get the car to the point where I could submit it for MOT inspection. Even still, the car was in such poor condition - so much rust damage, that the inspector gave me only provisional approval, so that I could drive the car to restorers.

Remember Gorman's statement: “the body is very straight and the panel fit is good with no evidence of any previous accident damage." Look at the attached photos of the car, once the paint had been stripped. The damage to the wood on the dashboard was really due to complete rusting of the entire metal frame around the windshield. It was clear the car had been in several major accidents. The engine had never been rebuilt or even properly serviced.

In the end, I did a total restoration of car - taking 3 years.

Be very clear. Richard Gorman is not your fellow Rolls or Bentley enthusiast. He is not your trusted classic car advisor. He is not your friend. Richard Gorman is a used car salesman. Vantage Motorworks is a used car lot. Richard Gorman is out to sell cars and make money, any way he can. I have no doubt that if you tell Mr. Gorman that you will enter your car in Peeble Beach or the Villa d'Este, his workshop will do whatever is necessary. But if you're just a guy who wants a good car, in good condition, for a good price, good luck!