1949 Bentley Mk VI 'Pillarless' Coupe
1 of Just Six Bodied by Freestone & Webb

Registration No: 7 HYY
Chassis No: B327DZ
MOT: Exempt

• One of just six cars bodied by Freestone & Webb to its design 3029
• Sympathetically refurbished since emerging from twenty-eight years in the Alan Browne collection (1989-2017)
• Featured in Bernard L King's book on the Bentley MKVI

Introduced in 1946, the MKVI was Bentley's first post-war model. Aimed at the emerging 'owner-driver' luxury car market, the newcomer was closely based on the 1939 MKV (of which only fifteen were produced). 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 'standard steel saloon' coachwork, the MKVI quickly developed a reputation for being a refined yet responsive drive. However, despite the excellence of the 'basic' car, there remained a core of marque enthusiasts who found its styling too anonymous.

Despatched to master coachbuilders Freestone & Webb in November 1948, chassis B327DZ is one of just six Bentley MKVIs to wear this design of two-door, pillarless aluminium coachwork. Supplied new to James T. Cook & Son of Reading during April 1949, the rest of its early history is unknown. Resident in America for eighteen years after being purchased by D.J. Fuss Esq from the renowned Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist Frank Dale & Stepson in 1971, the four-seater then formed part of the late Alan Browne’s collection until 2017.

Stabled alongside a fabulous variety of machinery including Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts and Bentley S-Type Continentals, the MKVI was little used for those twenty-eight years but appreciated for its decidedly elegant body and original engine. Sympathetically refurbished since entering the current ownership, chassis B327DZ has been fully repainted in Black over Palerro Grey and completely retrimmed by Aldridge of Wolverhampton. The wood veneers have been re-lacquered throughout and the brightwork re-plated. The bumpers are markedly different from those of a Standard Steel Saloon as is the chrome switchgear on the dashboard.

Illustrated in Bernard L King’s MKVI book with the same auxiliary spot, fog and small marker lights it sports today (p.309), the two-door fixed head has had the chrome and rubber trims atop its aluminium running boards renewed. The engine and gearbox were deemed to be in fine fettle and received little more than new gaskets and a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system (from the manifold back) courtesy of Hayward & Scott. The brakes have been overhauled to ensure that the four-seater stops as well as it goes. Although, Freestone & Webb bodied six Bentley MKVI chassis to its design number 3029, chassis B327DZ is one of only two 3029/A cars created with the other no longer thought to be resident in the UK.

Exceptionally elegant and well-proportioned – just look at the way the spare wheel moulding on the boot lid arrows towards the rear window – this wonderful Bentley would not disgrace a concours field. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.

Vendor Condition Ratings:

Bodywork: 'Excellent’
Engine: 'Excellent’
Electrical Equipment: 'Excellent’
Paintwork: 'Excellent’
Gearbox: 'Excellent’
Interior Trim: 'Excellent’

For more information, please contact:
John Markey
john.markey@handh.co.uk
01428 607899