Lot details
Registration No: LTO 477
Chassis No: B470DA
Mot Expiry: Oct 2010

Following WW2 Rolls-Royce recognised the changing requirements of its clients and implemented a shift away from chauffeur-driven behemoths to more wieldy `owner-driver' saloons. Thus, the company's first all-new model, the Bentley MKVI of 1946, was designed to be as compact and manageable as possible (a move made doubly sensible by contemporary steel rationing). Powered by a `clean sheet' engine, derived from a new family of Rolls-Royce powerplants, the MKVI used the refined B60, twin SU carburetor-fed, overhead inlet / side exhaust valve straight-six of 4257cc. All cars had manual gearboxes with right-hand floor-mounted changes. The MKVI also broke tradition by being the first car, Rolls-Royce or Bentley, to have a standard body design. The four-door body, with sliding steel sunroof, was produced by Pressed Steel and the cars were hand-built at the new Rolls-Royce factory in Crewe, Cheshire. Rolls-Royce did not turn its back on those wanting a more individual car, however, and separate chassis could still be purchased for special-bodied cars like this one.

Delivered to its first owner J.E. Payne Esq of P. Payne and Sons Ltd, in April 1949, chassis number `B470DA' was clothed with drophead coupe coachwork by Park Ward of London to its design number 65. One of just twenty-three cars built with this body design between 1947 and 1949, this is the penultimate example with body number B655. A previous owner is understood to have carried out restoration work on the car including a new hood, new maroon leather upholstery and repaint in grey over silver. Some years on, the MKVI still presents very well albeit that there are one or two areas showing signs of microblistering. Entering the current family ownership in 1991 with the registration number `VSU 684', the Bentley has since been re-registered as `LTO 477'. An imposing motorcar, it is offered for sale with current MOT certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until Oct 2010.