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Sold 1952 Bentley MK VI
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1952 Bentley MK VI


Specifications


Description

 

Prior to the Second World War, Rolls-Royce produced only 'bespoke' cars.

The company provided the chassis, engine and firewall;  the buyer chose the body to be built by the coach builder of choice, several of which produced 'series built' bodies in greater number of the same design, which allowed dealers to keep stock in their showrooms for immediate sale.

Rolls-Royce had always produced a less expensive (relatively speaking) 'Small Horsepower' range: the Twenty vs. 40/50 HP; the 20/25, 25/30 and the Wraith vs. The PI, PII and PIII. In the late pre-war years the company began to develop the MK V, to be introduced at the Olympia Motor Show in 1939.  This never occurred as the Show and chassis production ceased at the outbreak of the war.  Fewer than 20 chassis were built and none were offered to the public.

Rolls-Royce/Bentley turned to the production of the Merlin engine.  However, a few men, led by W.A. Robotham, continued post war planning of the MK V as time allowed. It was this chassis, somewhat similar to the Wraith and the Bentley 4.25 chassis, which was modified and improved as the MK VI chassis.

Pre-war coach built bodies were mostly hand-built of light alloy over wood framing.  The post-war economy precluded this expense. Park Ward, acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1939 (and responsible for many 'series built' bodies' were to build a saloon body, the work of Ivan Evcerndon and Bill Allen, in higher numbers.  As Park Ward was unlikely to meet the demand, the Pressed Steel Company, which stamped panels and assembled bodies for other British automakers, was contracted to produce the bodies.

Bespoke cars were still made available to those who could afford them.  The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith chassis, based on the Mk VI, and the Bentley MK VI chassis were still provided to an ever-diminishing number of coach builders in the U.K. and the Continent. Rolls-Royce was concerned that a 'mass-produced' car might diminish its brand, therefore the MK VI chassis was first only provided as a Bentley.  They needn't have worried. Reviews and demand were very favorable even though the Standard Steel Saloon was priced at 2595 pounds plus 1000 pound added tax, at a time when the average car in the U.K sold for 600 pounds.

The MK VI was  powered by a straight-six 4257 cc engine ('small bore'), enlarged in June 1951 to 4566 cc ('large bore') with dual exhausts to increase engine breathing and horsepower, torque and performance. Success was such that Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Dawn in 1950; its engine was fed by a single Stromberg carburetor whereas the MK VI retains its twin SU arrangement.  A bit more posh, it did not meet the performance of "The Silent Sports Car'.

ABOUT THIS CAR

  • Our car, B168PV, is one of the last MK VIs to be built and is a desirable 'Big Bore Small Boot' car.
  • It was delivered to H.A. Fox & Co, Burlington Garden, London and sold to N.H.L. Ridley LTD. on May 22, 1952.
  • It passed through several owners in the U.K before being imported to Florida in the 1970s, where it resided in the care of a single owner, until being purchased by its second US owner in the mid 1990's and in whose ownership has undergone many improvements, including: new interior- Maroon hide and carpets both with gray piping; gray wool head cloth (all consistent with the build sheet).
  • The front seats have unusual individual armrests. Restored wood; refinished dash switch plates; had new 'running boards' and rear body mounts fitted at the time.  The rust-free chassis was at the time cleaned and repainted and a stainless steel exhaust was fitted.
  • The brake system was also rebuilt including the master cylinder and wheel cylinders with new soft hoses and brake drums with relined brake shoes.
  • The radiator was re-cored and the water pump was rebuilt; hoses and fan belt were replaced.
  • The tires are Firestone Deluxe Champion Bias Ply; the hubcaps were repainted and restriped.
  • When the radiator was removed, the front wings, roof and trunk were repainted.
  • When the headliner was replaced, the sunroof drip hoses were renewed. No rust was encountered at the time.  The oil filter was converted to a spin-on type but the original canister system is included with the car.
  • Also included are the original owners manual, buildsheet, original small tools in their original tray, trouble light, oilers, and jack.
  • The early post-war 6 cylinder engine is considered by many to be the most robust, reliable, and easily maintainable engine that Rolls-Royce ever produced.  This lovingly maintained, quiet-running Big Bore Small Boot would be perfect for anyone desiring  Rolls-Royce product ownership.
  • Car was recently imported to New Zealand and will be fully complied and first registered by us.

The Bentley Mark VI was the first post-war luxury car from Bentley produced from 1946 to 1952.

This fine example of Bentleys popular Mk. VI  is indeed a very beautiful car, that will only appreciate in value. A low mileage example, that has been used sparingly and with care. The interior is just stunning. The woodwork is also in excellent order. Picnic occasional tables are fitted to the rears of the front seat and twin fog lamps can be found either side of the main grill assisted by a centrally mounted spot lamp.

A competitively priced and well proportioned Bentley.

Will be sold WOF'd and Registered.

TRANSPORT / SHIPPING CAN BE ORGANISED ON THIS VEHICLE ON BUYER'S BEHALF AT BUYERS COST.

WE ARE OPEN WEEKDAYS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

This vehicle has been sold

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DISCLAIMER (PLEASE READ)

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Classic Cars Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”.

Waimak Classic Cars is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Classic Cars does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Classic Cars as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Classic Cars.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime.

PLEASE NOTE: Waimak Classic Cars is Not a car yard dealer type of operation. As a result, we do not operate through fixed opening hours and viewing is By Appointment Only.