1951 Bentley MK VI Park Ward Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: VSV 931
Chassis No: B6LHR
Mot Expiry: July 2003

Postwar Bentleys became increasingly difficult to differentiate from their Rolls-Royce equivalents through having to share design and engineering expertise, components and production facilities. The Bentley MkVI hit a WW2 performance and luxury starved UK market in 1946. Initially, it shared the same 4257cc engine with the Silver Wraith, though at least Bentleys had high lift cams and twin carbs. Unlike the Rolls, which was produced in separate chassis form for bespoke coachbuilt bodywork, most Bentleys had standard 4-door bodyshells made for them by Pressed Steel.
On offer here is an extremely rare MkVI coachbuilt coupe, the lefthand drive rolling chassis of which was period-fitted with Park Ward coachbuilt coupe bodywork, one of only five such lhd coupes to have been hand-crafted in this way by the celebrated Willesden coachbuilders. Originally built to the special order of a lady from Norway, where, after two years, the vehicle was purchased by an industrialist who owned it until 1987, when it passed into the ownership of his wife, the next and current owner therefore being only the car's fourth.
Although the white paint is said now to require a little attention, bodywork is reportedly good and interior original throughout. Mechanical condition of 4.2-litre 6-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual gearbox is said to be good. £7000 has been spent on a recent overhaul, 11,809 kilometres (7376 miles) was displayed when entered and original tools have survived.