The MkVI was a great success for Bentley in the post war years as it was the first model that Bentley was able to produce and supply to its customers as a complete car with factory coachwork. Around 5200 examples were produced with the majority being of the "standard steel" variety meaning with coachwork supplied by the Bentley factory. However there were still a few, very few, Mk VI's that were supplied to coachbuilders as just a chassis for custom coachwork to be fitted. One such coachbuilder that offered a few Mk VI chassis with custom coachwork was Harold Radford who converted an early Mk VI into an estate, called the Countryman that featured wood paneled bodywork at the rear with a rear hatch that fully opened in a wagon like fashion. The initial Countryman was displayed at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show and was so well received that it led to nine examples of the first generation model being commissioned. Fully alloy and offered with either oak or beech wood trim and offered with a choice of mahogany or walnut veneer at the rear and a horizontally split rear tailgate folded out with a folding rear seat making a very well proportioned loading area. An upscale "shooting brake" for country touring is a good way to describe these cars. In 1951 a second generation Countryman was unveiled by Radford with a bit of a different direction. The lines of the alloy coachwork were given a facelift and the split rear hatch was more so integrated into the body.
The very first Mk II countryman was built on chassis B40MD, which is this very car. B40MD was displayed at both the 1951 and 1952 Earls Court Motor Shows in London and shortly after was raced at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1954, actually earning an award, driven by Brian McCartney-Filgate who was a Loganda dealer, and R.W. Holmes. Others participating in the '54 rally included Sterling Moss, Mike Couper and Greta Molander. B40MD still carried the "HAR 1" registration number which was famously used by Harold Radford himself.
Today, B40MD presents in beautifully restored condition showing how well it's been cared for through the years. It wears a wonderful silver and dark blue paint job paired with a very nice light grey leather interior. Mechanically the 4 1/2 liter overhead valve six cylinder engine runs incredibly well giving a very smooth and enjoyable driving experience. The rear compartment of the Radford is just so neat with its beautifully restored wood veneer which includes a wine storage compartment as well as a hidden sink and mirror for long trips. The large sunroof over the front also makes driving in warm weather very enjoyable. Overall B40MD is a wonderful custom bodied Mk VI with great history. It was also featured in a few books and magazines includingJanuary/February issue of “Rolls and Bentley Driver” magazine and the February 2019 issue of the “Bentley Drivers Club Review” magazine. A two year Earls Court Motorshow car as well as a period Monte Carlo Rally participant, a really wonderful and romantic post war Bentley. Contact us for more information.
