Vehicle Description
With the world still reeling in the aftermath of World War II,
Rolls-Royce and Bentley dusted off and set to work returning to the
business of making motorcars. Automobile production stopped in
1940, while the aero engine division sustained the company
throughout the war. As much of the workforce and machinery
relocated to the aero division in Crewe, management decided to move
car production from the traditional home in Derby to the factory in
Crewe. The move allowed for higher production volume and a greater
quantity of precision machined parts to aid in standardizing the
line; which Rolls-Royce saw as a necessary step toward long-term
survival of the marque. The first product to roll out of the new
works was the Bentley Mark VI, introduced in 1946. This new model
marked a significant milestone in the history of both of these
great British marques. The Bentley Mark VI, (joined by the Rolls
Royce Silver Dawn in 1949) was the company's first postwar
production car and the very first model offered with a complete
all-steel production body, known rather unglamorously as the
Standard Steel Saloon. Pressed Steel Ltd produced the panels, and
the cars were assembled at the newly integrated Rolls-Royce works
in Crewe. Mechanically, it was similar to the aborted pre-war Mark
V, with independent front suspension on a sturdy chassis and a 4.25
liter inline six. The Standard Steel Saloon offered traditional
styling and classic wood and leather interior appointments. It was
attractive, understated, and elegant, yet hardly groundbreaking or
advanced. That did not stop the independent coachbuilders like
James Young, Hooper, and H.J. Mulliner from producing their own
more contemporary designs for the chassis. Concurrently, American
styling trends also began to influence the Brits, materializing in
a series of slab-sided experimental designs in the late 1940s. One
of the most distinct new-world designs to feature on a Mark VI
chassis was James Young's style number C10M, as seen here on our
featured car, chassis number B495CD. With its fully enveloped
wings, clean lines and slim pillars, this design no. C10M was
dramatically different than the staunchly traditional Standard
Saloon, causing quite a stir when it debuted on the James Young
stand at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. B495CD is the very car
that appeared at that show, and it is a fascinating example of the
forward-thinking approach independent coachbuilders could take. At
the time, design C10M was quite polarizing; however, it found
enough favor to see three similar examples built. Historical
records and build sheets supplied by the RREC show that B495CD was
produced to order for Mr. Ronald Strauss of Strauss, Turnbull & Co.
The chassis left the works in June 1948 and shipped to James Young
to receive its coachwork. Following the exhibition at the London
Motor Show at Earls Court in late October, final delivery came in
December 1948. In 1953, Mr. Strauss traded the car via Jack Barclay
Ltd. who in turn sold it to Mrs. Caroline Blackmore. It appears she
ran the car for approximately two years before selling it via
Barclay to the legendary British racing driver and car dealer,
Duncan Hamilton. He then sold the car to Thomas Whittle & Sons,
Ltd, a well-known manufacturer of automotive belts located in
Warrington. Copies of the chassis records and sales records from
Barclay's are included in the extensive file. The British
registration book documents all subsequent home-market owners. In
the 1980s, B495CD received a full restoration and saw regular
enjoyment on the road before being stored on behalf of the owner,
understood to be The Hon. David Keightley Rideal Oliver. In 2003 it
was sold by Oliver and shipped to the Netherlands where it received
an extensive mechanical freshening. Service records from England
and the Netherlands go as far as 2013 when the car made its way to
America, where it was displayed in a private collection until
recently. Today, this fascinating Bentley presents in good order
with a light patina from age and gentle use. The two-tone blue and
silver livery suits the car well, giving it an understated appeal.
Full wheel covers - originally polished - are now painted to match
the body, and hidden beneath fill spats in the rear. The paint is
generally good, with some minor imperfections noted under scrutiny.
Nice original touches remain, such as the Lucas driving lamp,
original Bentley B70 headlamps, flush-mounted trafficators, and
unique bumper overriders. The four-place cabin is in excellent
condition; the blue leather seats showing well, with light creasing
in the otherwise supple Connolly hides. Blue Wilton carpets are in
good order, and the extensive wood trim of the dash, door caps, and
picnic trays was beautifully restored while in the care of the
previous owner. Fine details include front wind wings that open via
cranks, a complete set of hand tools in a sliding under-dash
drawer, pivoting rear quarter lights, and a retractable rear
sunshade. Rear passengers enjoy picnic trays and individual
compartments, each containing a bar set consisting of two crystal
shot glasses and a leather-bound whisky flask (or whiskey,
depending on your drink of choice). Retaining its original,
numbers-matching engine paired with a four-speed manual gearbox,
this Mk VI delivers the relaxed, capable performance expected from
a Bentley of the period. With its recent history in an extensive
collection, it may require additional attention before embarking on
road tours and events. Built before 1949, this car is recognized by
the CCCA as a Full Classic and therefore eligible for their CARavan
tours and other events. It is accompanied by a complete set of hand
tools, as well as road tools, original handbook, registration
booklet, and extensive documentation including a report by Bentley
historian Diane Brandon. B495CD is a rarely seen example of James
Young's New Look design language and is an excellent example of the
creative spirit of one of Britain's greatest coachbuilders. For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6400-1948-bentley-mark-vi-james-young-coupe/