Judith Skillings - Photos of the cars featured in her books

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Introduced in DEAD END

Part of the crime scene in DEAD END and conveyor of a dead body in DANGEROUS CURVES, this 1925 3-Litre epitomizes the spirit that made the Vintage Bentley a legend. Designed by W.O. Bentley, an independent manufacturer prior to the buy-out by Rolls-Royce in 1931, the early cars were mostly muscle and enjoyed a rich racing history with multiple victories at Le Mans. More than half of 3,048 Vintage Bentley motorcars produced were of the 3-Litre model. With a reputation for speed and durability, Vintage Bentley cars continue to enjoy a cult following of devoted enthusiasts, most of whom (particularly 946’s owners) were delighted that no gasoline was spilled on the leather interior. Blood will come out; gasoline destroys the hides.

For more information on the Bentley Drivers Club visit www.bdcl.co.uk

Introduced in DANGEROUS CURVES

Rolls-Royce made its reputation for producing “the finest motorcars in the world” with the large horsepower cars of the 1910s and 1920s, specifically the Silver Ghost. They continued to expand on their reputation with the Phantom series which followed. However, in order to compete with American luxury cars and the Hispano Suiza J12 series, RR introduced in 1935, the Phantom III—one of the largest and most complex cars they ever produced, complete with a V-12 cylinder engine, twin coil ignitions and independent front suspension. Only 710 Phantom IIIs were produced between 1936-1939. The size of the chassis allowed coach builders to create sumptuous body designs. 3BU86, as described in DANGEROUS CURVES, went new to the Maharaja of Bopal in India. By the time it came to reside in the United States, its frame rails were coated with silt hardened into cement from being washed repeatedly in the

Ganges River. After a body-off, ground-up restoration, this magnificent car will soon be back on the road. (Please excuse the coy photograph; the far side isn’t painted yet. Check back later for an updated picture.)

For many people, the Silver Cloud III is what comes to mind when someone says Rolls-Royce. Made famous in James Bond movies and the Grey Poupon ads on television, it’s the last model with the high, very recognizable radiator grille, although it’s 1-1/2" lower than the previous model, which resulted in a slightly sloping hood line. Two thousand and forty-four SCIIIs were manufactured between 1962-1965. They have V-8 engines with power brakes, steering, windows and, in most cases, air conditioning. In short, they’re capable of driving any highway at speed (maximum speed 115mph) and in style. LSCX853 began life under the hot sun of Texas, then passed to Charles Roman, the publicist who created the advertising campaign featuring body-builder Charles Atlas chiding young men not to be 90-pound weaklings. After that it was owned by a famous Wall Street investor with his own television show, before becoming a permanent part of The Frawley Company family. (Mrs. Wetherly plans to keep the car on the road for years to come.)

For more information on the Rolls Royce Owners Club visit www.rroc.org

Introduced in DRIVEN TO MURDER

Historic Formula One cars are like works of fine art. Their desirability depends on their provenance — the success of the team owning the car, the engineering innovations, drivers who raced the car and what races it won, or lost, spectacularly. The Lotus 49C featured in DRIVEN TO MURDER acquired its mystique during the late 1960s when being driven by Austrian F1 legend, Jochen Rindt.
After joining Gold Leaf Team Lotus in 1969, Rindt, in a version of the Lotus 49, consistently captured fastest laps, took the pole and often won the race. In 1970, the Lotus was modified to the C version, which included smaller 13" wheels and changes to the suspension. Its most glorious victory came in May when Rindt won the race at Monaco.
For the remainder of the season the team raced either the

Lotus 69 or the new Lotus 72, a car in which Rindt never felt comfortable. With good reason. In September, while practicing for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, one of the front brakeshafts fractured, the car spun out and Rindt was killed. Surprisingly, he had amassed so many wins that year, that he was award the Formula One championship after his death.
The Lotus 49C is privately owned and now resided back in Rindt's native Austria.