Vintage Bentley expert Stanley Mann earlier today, 7 March, won his appeal in the Court of Appeal against a judgment handed down by HH Judge Anthony Thornton in October 2011.

Stanley Mann is regarded as the leading dealer in Vintage Bentley cars. Following her purchase of a 1930 Bentley Speed Six from Mann, Mrs Mercedes Travis Brewer, an American lawyer, subsequently sued him when a leading auction house mistakenly undervalued the car when she came to sell it. Mrs Brewer alleged the car was not as described, although she knew the engine to be non-original when she bought the car.

This case has raised important issues about the identity of a car related to its recorded history and provenance, and Stanley Mann outside Court today said: “I am very pleased with the outcome. The Court of Appeal’s decision has vindicated me. This is a good day for the historic car business and indeed, had the flawed judgment of HH Judge Thornton been allowed to stand, the implications for the entire antiques market would have been immense.”

For a summary or a full transcript of the Judgment go to www.wilmotslitigation.com.