Recently, one of our most distinguished forum members vehemently cast aspersions on the idea of owning a "Jewel Fuel Filler Cap" when a new member said he ordered one for his new CGTC. Since I own a "Jewel Fuel Filler Cap", I felt his attack was leveled at me as well.

The question is: 'What do other fellow forum members think about owning a "Jewel Fuel Filler Cap"?'


BTW - the idea of the "Jewel Fuel Filler Cap" actually came from a Bentley owner. The story varies a bit from tale to tale but the basic content of the story is basically the same. Here is one account:
"A long time Bentley customer picking up his latest steed from Crewe and while he loved the whole of it, he felt something was missing. That something? A gas cap that lived up to the stature of Bentley.
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Now, most of us car guys love our rides but in all honesty do find some fault with our paramours. I once owned a car that was truly awe inspiring around corners but the horn note sounded as if a gnat was buzzing in your ear.
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Well, not this Bentley customer. He was so disturbed by this injustice he was moved to action. He rang up the folks in Crewe, shared his frustration and was met with a litany of justifiable world regulations that dictate gas cap design and development. Undeterred, he sent the folks in Crewe a blank check with a covering note: ‘Fix it’.
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Ever the bespoke firm, Bentley put some people on it, went through those litany of world regulations and developed a new gas cap.
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So stunning is this gas cap that it is aptly named ‘Jewel Fuel Filler Cap’. Hard to understand without seeing and feeling it, this is made from one block of solid aluminum (Gene would be proud) and brush finished complete with a ‘B’ in the center. I have driven Lotus’ that don’t weigh as much as this.

Some time later, a package turns up on his doorstep. In it, one aforementioned Bentley ‘Jewel Fuel Filler Cap’, his un-cashed blank check and a check from Bentley. It turns out; this Bentley aficionado’s idea was shared amongst other owners so much so that the ‘Jewel Fuel Filler Cap’ became a wildly popular option. The check? His commission."


 

Does it have any jewels on it? I didn't see any

 

There you go again crawling around in the bottom of the intellectual barrel balancing out the sophisticated forum members. I am down there with you but at least I am making an attempt to rise to the top.

 

You know what? The plastic one never did bother me and now you have gone and ruined the blissful ignorance.

 

Only if you sit on it. Then it has the family.... oh well, you know what I mean.

 

You are not alone.

I didn't think a thing about it until I read one of the stories about the Bentley owner persuading the Bentley factory to create one. After that, when I gassed up the GTC (like when Helmet was on vacation), I became just like that persistent owner and the plastic one began to bother me more and more each time. I eventually I bought one. Now, on the rare occasion that I go to the gas station, I look forward to opening the "Fuel Filler Door" to see my little "Jewel".

BTW - the first story I read had Bentley refunding the owner the amount he paid to Bentley, instead of him getting a commission. That story said that he framed the check and never cashed it. I like that version better.

 

For a moment I thought that might be me. However I'm neither distinguished nor vehement, so it must be someone else. Perhaps Helmet might know.

For the record, I also saw no usefulness in a crafted, hidden item such as the jewel cap. But then I wondered, with this attitude, do I really qualify as a Bentley Boy? Obviously not. I seek quality in everything, yet I could be content with a piece of crappy plastic covering such as is provided on the worst car in the world as defined by Top Gear, the Lexus SC 430.

Regrettably I discovered that not only had I had flunked the quality test, but Bentley also. Because while the cap - hunkered out of a solid block of alloy - was a crafted joy to behold, it also failed because there's nowhere to put it while the beast is being watered.

No nifty plastic pronged holding device, no little compartment to hold it snug, nothing.

So both Bentley and I have failed in the quality stakes. But I've changed my view and seen the error of my ways. It is a thing of unparalleled beauty. I'm now no longer a disparager, but a convert. And we all know that converts are the worst kind of reformers. You and Helmet will never hear the end of this

As for the story, here's the official version from the Bentley catalog:

 

You are distinguished but not vehement. I took a little poetic license in order to overstate the controversy. People love controversy.

You are right about the Continentals not having a proper place to to store the "Little Jewel" while the beast is being watered. I never liked the place that the plastic one was stored either. So I have always used a small towel that I place behind the open fuel door to put the "Little Jewel" while fueling. And don't get me started about the cup holders. In Texas, cup holders are very important.

Helmet and I are delighted that we could be of help.

Thanks. This is the version of the story that prompted me to get with the program. I especially like the part where Bentley deducted the price of the "Little Jewel" from his proceeds. Those accountants should be proud.

 

Never thought of that. I learn something new here every day.

 

Well that settles it for me, NO new filler cap.

 

When imcarnuts revealed 'The "imcarnuts" came from my wife after a few years of marriage when she said "your f**kin' car nuts.'

She could have easily left out the car part!

 

I never paid much attention to mine, either - that is, until I got my new car a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised to find the "jewel" cap.

 

It is a bit tacky how the cap is held during refuel by that rubbery string.

I recall a car that had a nice little holder for the plastic cap. I'm sure Bentley can devise a small holder for the jewel cap.

How are the caps on new 2013 models secured during refuelling?

 

This is how it is in the 2013:

 

This photo shows the attachment in a different view. I almost had a heart attack when I accidentally dropped the cap when trying to fit the outer lip on the L shaped hook. It's actually the inner screw that needs to be hooked on to it, and it sits quite firmly there.

No damage to the body, but I regret not putting a towel under as GRwisher suggested.