3 replies to this topic

[fuzzi]

The 4¼-litre Bentley designed by Georges Paulin for Embiricos has been in the classic press recently as it has been over in Europe for a number of special events. Although generally known as the "Embiricos Bentley" it really acheived fame in the hands of H.S.F. 'Soltan' Hay who ran the car three times at Le Mans in 1949-51. He bought the Bentley in July 1939 and apparently historic photos of the car with blacked-out headlamps suggest that the car was used during the war.

In conversation with a friend we both wondered where 'Soltan' came from - it always seems to be in quotes so was presumably a nickname or family name which stuck. A little research (by my wife who is a demon on family trees) tells us that Howard S. Fitzgerald Hay was the son of Howard G. Fitzgerald Hay and Avice E. Pitman. He was born on 12 April 1915 in Portsmouth where his father, an Army officer, was stationed. H.S.F. himself married Mary J. Wallace in Chelsea in 1938 and had three children Robert H.S. (born 1940), Gwendoline A. (born 1942), Caroline (born 1944) and Dinah A. (born 1946) all four children were born in Newton Abbott. H.S.F. is believed to have died in the 1970s.

Does anyone know where the name 'Soltan' (occasionally rendered as 'Sultan' or Sultau') comes from?

[Tim Murray]

According to this earlier post it was one of his given names:

HAY Howard Soltan Fitzgerald born 12th April 1915, died 1991

ETA: See also this page on Genes Reunited:

http://www.genesreun...aths/hay/howard

Edited by Tim Murray, 11 December 2012 - 20:42.

[Vitesse2]

He bought the Bentley in July 1939 and apparently historic photos of the car with blacked-out headlamps suggest that the car was used during the war.

I think I've seen mention of it having been at one or more Rembrandt meetings.

[fuzzi]

Thank you gentlemen.