VIDEO: Motors & Me - John O’Brien

John O’Brien shows the Irish Examiner around his 1951 Bentley mk 6.

What are you currently driving?

1951 Bentley 4.5-litre mk 6.

Love at first sight or just a means to get from A to B?

Love at first sight for sure. Beautiful body lines and there is a unique style to this car.

What’s under the bonnet?

Under the hood is a straight 6 cylinder, 4.5-litre with overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves.

Petrol head or Sunday driver?

Mostly the latter. I enjoy attending the vintage runs and going to places of interest, as well as meeting people of similar interests.

What was your first car?

A 1972 Ford Capri 1.6 GT (great car, would love to have it back) which I bought in 1979.

What else do you own?

Vintage 1952 Morris Minor split screen, 1936 Austin 10, 1968 Morris Traveller.

Dream drive in dream location?

I drove a Lamborghini Murcielago V12 in Gran Canaria on a motorway. The most exciting part was accelerating through the tunnels.

Passengers you’d most like on a long journey?

My wife Josie.

Passenger you’d least like?

That one put me thinking. I suppose someone who could not speak my language or vice versa.

What’s on your playlist?

When driving cars pre-1960, I prefer listening to the music the engine is making. With the modern cars, Tom Petty, Don Henley, The Eagles, Phil Collins, [are] a perfect soundtrack when going for a drive.