Rumbling with understated elegance, the train of classic Bentley cars rolls along the roads of South Carolina from the upstate foothills to the coast in Charleston. Pre-war parades like this are rarely seen outside of their native British habitat; here in South Carolina, the train of Bentley cars is still sufficient to make the local news. But that is not to say that classic car culture does not extend south of the Mason-Dixon line. For such a comparatively tiny state, South Carolina contains the fourth-largest road network of any state, spanning nearly 41,500 miles in total. Luxury cars have been assembled in the state as early as the 1920s in a tradition that today extends to modern manufacturers like BMW as well as newcomers Volvo and sister brand Polestar.

And for those whose tastes in luxury cars hew more classic, South Carolina is also home to an authority in pre-war Bentley and Rolls-Royce models: Greg Porter. For years, Porter organized the popular Bentley tour from the hills to the ocean. The bucket list event for any American-based Bentley fan started in Vermont and has adapted to the friendlier climate of the Carolinas under Porter’s leadership. With a lifetime of experience not only driving, but also repairing and maintaining these mechanical masterpieces, Porter has the expertise to discern the best examples for both touring and concours. RM Sotheby’s is proud to have the SC-based Porter on our team, considerably expanding our network in terms of geography as well as background. We caught up with Porter just before this year’s Bentley tour: 

1. What was your first car? Any memorable early drives?

My first car was a hand-down Audi A4 5 speed. It was a great car and I still miss driving it. The first car I ever drove was my dad’s 1929 Bentley 4 ½-litre, ever since that I was hooked. I have had a lot of memorable drives, one of the most memorable was driving the 1925 Bentley 3-4½ home from the Bentley tour in 2019 in Georgia with my dad. Had to drive home 120 miles in torrential rain and flash floods. 

2. Your home of South Carolina has a surprising auto history, from the Anderson in the 1920s to BMW today. Do you have any stories about the car culture there?

SC car culture is a blast. In the upstate it is all about BMW, and we have some of the best driving roads in the country. One of my most epic drives was following a 3.0 CS through a gorge in a 1963 Jaguar E-Type. Hearing those two six-cylinder engines echoing through the trees was magical.

3. For those who don’t know your style, what kinds of cars do you specialize in consigning?

If it has wheels, I like it. The source of the passion will always be W.O. Bentleys and pre-war British cars. I also love brass era and veteran cars.

4. Part of your expertise comes from being a trained automotive technician and mechanic. What do you look for in a well-restored car?

I am very focused on mechanical condition when inspecting cars. Although I enjoy going to concours events, I really love rallies and tours. Sometimes the cars that look a little rough on the edges are the best sorted. A lot of people overlook the cars that have a lot of patina but some of them are truly fantastic when you drive them. I can tell a lot about a car when looking in the engine bay, and even more when I take it for a drive.

5. You also have experience going on tours and rallies and planning them, what are some tips on making enjoyable touring events.

First things first, make it fun. Part of the reason car people love events is that it is an opportunity to meet new members of the community, and when everyone is having fun that is easy. Take the time to find the great roads, and that might mean breaking out the old, paper road atlas. When you get the formula right—great roads, great people, and great places—the tour will be unforgettable.

To learn more about Greg Porter, and to contact him about any potential consignments, click here to read more on his bio page.