Vehicle Description
Unlike many prewar automobile manufacturers, Rolls-Royce survived
World War II and emerged into the brave new peacetime economy in
relatively good financial health and with a plan to embrace greater
standardization, higher production volumes and their resulting
economies of scale. The new Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley
Mark VI were introduced in 1946, marking the first post-war
automobiles of Rolls-Royce design and most significantly, they
represented a complete break from the past, being designed and
built as complete cars, fitted with new standardized saloon
coachwork. The Pressed Steel Company of Oxford built the bodies,
which were reminiscent of the Park Ward-bodied Mark V models of the
late 1930s, while ex-Gurney Nutting Chief Designer John Blatchley
refined the details. While the "Standard Steel" bodies of the Mk VI
and Silver Dawn indeed signaled the downfall of the once-widespread
coachbuilding trade, they were trimmed and painted to a standard
rivalling the work of the finest custom coachbuilders of the era.
This was quite a change in philosophy on the part of Bentley's
parent, Rolls-Royce, yet it reflected the reality that high-quality
standardized bodies could indeed be built in greater numbers at the
new factory in Crewe. A 4.3-liter (4,257 cc) inline six-cylinder
engine initially powered the Mk VI, with its aluminum-alloy F-head
combining overhead intake and side-mounted exhaust valves. While
similar to the prior B60-Series engine of the war years, this new
design was much simpler and utilized a one-piece cylinder block
casting with an integral crankcase and fan belt-driven generator
and water pump. Combined with a four-speed manual gearbox and
independent front suspension, the Mk VI provided outstanding
performance and was capable of top speeds around 95 mph.
Contemporary Bentley advertising for the Mk VI quoted an RAF Wing
Commander and highlighted the car's rare blend of practical
elegance, comfortable seating for five and its smooth-shifting
transmission, as well as its around-town drivability and capable
open-road performance. According to marque expert Johnnie Green's
definitive book "Bentley: Fifty Years of the Marque," 5,208
examples of the Mk VI were produced between 1946 and 1952. While
the vast majority were built with Standard Steel bodywork, a wide
variety of bespoke custom bodies were still available nonetheless
from a number of renowned English coachbuilders, including such
highly respected firms as Freestone & Webb, Gurney Nutting, H.J.
Mulliner, Hooper and Co., James Young, and Rolls-Royce subsidiary
Park Ward. Bearing Chassis Number B320LFV, this 1949 Bentley Mk VI
is one of just four built with elegant and distinctive Design C15
Sedanca de Ville coachwork by Gurney Nutting - a design considered
by marque authorities to represent the legendary coachbuilder's
swan song. This body style was also the most expensive offered in
the Bentley model catalogue at 3,900 Pounds Sterling plus another
2,168 in taxes. This left-hand drive example, with Body Number
2406, was originally delivered in February 1950 to Edmond Meert in
Belgium, possibly unpainted and untrimmed in order to reduce
crushing import duties. Subsequent history remains unknown until
B320LFV was offered for sale by a Rolls-Royce Owners Club member
from Toronto, Canada in the January 1995 edition of The Flying
Lady. The Bentley was back in England during the early 2000s with
period registration plates numbered 'YFF913' and then by 2003, it
was acquired by an enthusiastic RROC member from New York, who
exhibited the exceedingly rare Gurney Nutting Sedanca de Ville at
the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and kept the car in
good company with other rare coachbuilt Bentleys. The subject of an
older, yet well-detailed restoration, B320LFV is finished in a bold
two-tone black and red livery, with pleasingly careworn paintwork
and a lovely, well-preserved red leather interior with beige
carpeting piped red. The body and paint are attractive overall,
displaying a moderate patina with some edge chipping and bodywork
imperfections, yet retaining the appealing character of a
well-loved car. Features and amenities include an original radio,
slide-out under-dash tool kit, and drinkware for the rear
passengers in discreet side compartments. Maintaining irreplaceable
integrity, the Bentley also retains its documented original engine,
numbered B160F. The engine runs with the expected smoothness and
refinement, and the four-speed gearbox feels delightfully positive,
even with the US-spec column-mounted gear change. Recently out of
long-term storage, it may require some additional sorting prior to
enjoying on tours, yet it is pleasingly honest and a fundamentally
good driving example. Other highlights of this wonderful coachbuilt
beauty are the iconic Bentley shuttered chrome grille and radiator
mascot, twin fender-mounted mirrors, the highly correct engine and
engine compartment, formal rear landau irons, luxuriously appointed
rear passenger compartment, and red disc-type wheels. History is
well documented in the book "Bentley Mk VI" by Bernard King and The
Flying Lady, with relevant pages and entries copied and on file
with the car. A lovely and eminently usable custom coachbuilt
Bentley, this extremely rare 1949 Bentley Mk VI Sedanca de Ville by
Gurney Nutting will be ideal for casual touring enjoyment or serve
as an excellent basis for a full concours-level restoration - the
choice is yours! Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7265-1949-bentley-mkvi-gurney-nutting-sedanca/
