Vehicle Description
Introduced in 1946, the MkVI was Bentley's the first postwar
production car. This new car marked a major landmark and turning
point for Bentley, as it was the first in the company's history to
be offered as a complete car with a standardized production body,
built in house. Known as the Standard Steel Saloon, the panels were
built by Pressed Steel Ltd, and assembled at the newly integrated
Rolls Royce works in Crewe. While the practice of ordering custom
coachbuilt bodies was falling out of favor and many of the
traditional British firms were closing up shop, it was still
possible to order a MkVI with a custom body from any number of
builders such as Freestone and Webb, Radford, H.J. Mulliner and
Park Ward. But the vast majority of customers opted for the elegant
and handsome Standard Steel Saloon body, which helped make the MkVI
Bentley's most successful model to date. Mechanically, it was
similar to the pre-war MkV, with independent front suspension on
the substantial chassis and a 4.25 liter inline six. For the 1952
model year, it was updated to the "big bore" 4.5 liter
specification and available with either an automatic or four-speed
manual gearbox. When properly maintained, the MkVI is a reliable
and robust motorcar with that exhibits the delightful
over-engineered feeling of a classic Bentley. 4,946 examples were
produced, the vast majority of which were sold with Standard Steel
Saloon bodies. Yet a fraction of production did receive special
coachwork, as our featured example wears. From its foundation in
1919, Park Ward had maintained a very close relationship with
Bentley. So much so, that in 1931 Bentley had planned a takeover of
the coachbuilding firm, before Rolls Royce stepped in and took over
Bentley. Park Ward coachwork has graced virtually every chassis
made by Bentley, from the earliest 3-liter cars, through the 1990s
when the name was used to denote specially equipped and limited
edition models. For the MkVI, Park Ward offered an elegant
five-passenger Drophead Coupe body. The gorgeous, flowing lines
were minimally adorned with just a few flashes of chrome trim.
Typically Park Ward, the Drophead Coupe was elegant, refined and
restrained yet still capable of making a bold statement. Just 27 of
its kind were produced before MkVI production shifted to the
R-Type, making it one of the rarest of the coachbuilt post-war
Bentleys. Our fine example is a 1952 model, desirably configured in
left-hand drive with four-speed manual transmission and the
big-bore 4.5 liter engine. Just 8 cars were produced in this
specification for 1952. B135LNY is finished in Sand over Sable with
a tan top, and red coach stripes. The body is in very good order,
straight and tidy with fair quality older paint that is attractive,
yet showing some signs of use. It appears this Bentley has never
had a full restoration, but rather, has been maintained and
freshened as needed over the years. The result is a handsome and
usable car with an appealing patina that encourages regular drives.
Park Ward refined their design over the short production, so many
of them wear different detailing, this example has full rear fender
skirts that are cleverly hinged to access the wheels for service. A
chrome strip follows the lower edge of the body, and repeats on the
wheel skirt and the car looks equally appealing with the top up or
folded. In the cabin, light tan leather is piped in brown and
presents in good condition, with fair carpets and good detailing.
Smiths instruments are correct and in good working order. The door
panels are executed in a lovely sunburst pattern and beautifully
restored wood trim graces the door caps, dash and windscreen
surround. The wood trim is certainly a highlight of the interior,
restored to a high standard with gorgeous inlay banding and a deep,
rich gloss. This MkVI is mechanically sound and the engine bay is
tidy though in driver-quality condition. This MkVI is quite
suitable for driving and enjoyment and would make a fine companion
for Bentley Driver's Club events. Likewise, it would make a very
fine and deserving candidate for a full restoration, as it is a
very rare, desirable and collectible automobile built by one of the
greatest coachbuilders of the period. It is sold with original
handbooks and RROC records.
