1948 Bentley MKVI Saloon
First owned by Sir Joseph Nickerson

Registration No: AJV 816
Chassis No: B69DZ
MOT: Exempt

• Supplied new to the renowned farmer, entrepreneur and marksman Sir Joseph Nickerson (aka 'Patridge Joe') whose Wemmergill Moor shoots played host to the likes of HRH The Prince of Wales, President John F Kennedy and King Juan Carlos of Spain
• Treated to a major engine overhaul in 1978 at an indicated 48,000 miles (now showing 67,000) by a time-served Rolls-Royce engineer who kept the car until 2002
• Purchased by John Spencer for £19,000 during 2007 and thereafter the subject of an extensive bodywork restoration including the fitment of four new wings not to mention re-trimmed front seats and much refinished brightwork etc
• Starts readily and runs notably well. Pleasingly retains its factory-fitted sliding sunroof, tool tray and underbonnet torch etc
• Professionally valued at £35,000 in 2015, extensive history file containing green continuation logbook and RREC copy chassis records etc

Introduced in 1946, the MKVI was Bentley's first post-war model. Built around a massive cruciform-braced chassis with independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, it was fitted with a freshly developed 4257cc OISE (overhead inlet side exhaust valve) straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Capable of over 100mph when clad in the factory's understated but stylish 'standard steel saloon' coachwork, the MKVI quickly developed a reputation for being a refined yet responsive drive.

Supplied new to the renowned farmer, entrepreneur and marksman Sir Joseph Nickerson (aka 'Partridge Joe') whose Wemmergill Moor shoots played host to the likes of HRH The Prince of Wales, President John F Kennedy and King Juan Carlos of Spain, chassis B69DZ was road registered as ‘AJV 816’ on 29th December 1948. Known to have subsequently belonged to G.V. Clark, F. Rutter, David W. Burges, Stanley Norwood Page and Kenneth Roy Egginton before being bought by a time-served Rolls-Royce engineer in 1978, the Bentley was to remain in his care for the next twenty-four years. Benefiting from an engine overhaul at a credible but unwarranted 48,000 miles, the MKVI was still showing less than 55,000 miles to its odometer when Glen Waddington road tested it for the March 2003 issue of Classic Cars magazine concluding that at £19,950: ‘You’re paying for quality – it would take a long time to find another as good as this’. Next keeper, John Gout, maintained a handwritten log of every journey taken aboard the Sports Saloon, while his successor, John Spencer, treated it to an extensive bodywork restoration and sundry mechanical fettling during 2007-2008. Subsequent owner, Michael Carey, improved the Bentley further with a new fuel pump, rejuvenated starter motor and fresh valve stem oil seals. Professionally valued at £35,000 weeks after the last registered custodian acquired it in March 2015, the associated letter on file notes that: ‘A comprehensive restoration including some upholstery repairs and a professional respray have been carried out over recent years resulting in a near concours appearance’.

Running well during our recent photography session, this smart MKVI pleasingly retains its original under bonnet torch, Trico Solvent washer fluid bottle and sliding sunroof etc. Now showing some 67,500 recorded miles and worthy of close inspection, it is offered for sale with V5C registration document, RREC copy build records and history file.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737