Lot details
Registration No: HAC 362
Chassis No: B-78-DA
Mot Expiry: June 2013

Introduced in 1946, the Bentley MKVI was aimed at the emerging 'owner-driver' luxury car market. The marque's first post-WW2 model, it 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, the newcomer was fitted with a freshly developed 4257cc (later 4566cc) overhead inlet/side exhaust straight-six engine mated to four-speed manual transmission. Suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and by leaf springs at the rear. Braking was by mechanically-assisted drums all-round. As with its forebears, a central lubrication system allowed oil to be applied to the moving parts of the suspension via a central reservoir. Unfortunately, the variable quality of steel available in the post-WW2 period meant that the MKVI's Standard Steel Saloon coachwork rarely lasted as long as Crewe had intended, and by the mid-1960s there were a good number of mechanically strong but cosmetically untidy cars running around. Dating from that time onwards, the tradition of building Bentley MKVI-based Specials is long and proud.

The charismatic-looking right-hand drive Bentley MKVI on offer was first registered in July 1948. The Le Mans-style replacement body was crafted by J Wilkinson, at which point the engine was set back in the chassis by 14 inches. The exterior finish is a pleasing mix of British Racing Green and polished alloy, while the interior is trimmed in Maroon hide. The cycle wings are made of fibreglass, for which the moulds apparently come with the car. The vendor currently considers the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, 4257cc straight-six engine and four-speed manual gearbox to all be in "very good" order, and says the engine "starts and runs very well and makes a purposeful sound, courtesy of the big bore exhaust tailpipe". `HAC 362' comes complete with an MOT valid into June 2013.