Lot details
Registration No: LNE 400
Chassis No: B93GT
Mot Expiry: Sept 2012

"The facilities devoted in times of peace to the manufacture of Bentley Cars are now concentrated on vital war production. At some time in the future the Bentley will again become a peace-time product. It will then be found that the experience acquired during further years of research and development in other engineering fields has been blended into a car which will excel even the rightly famed pre-war product." Advert by Bentley Motors Ltd, April 1942

The sentiments of Bentley's upbeat statement above were finally born out in May 1946 by the unveiling of its first post-WW2 motorcar, the MKVI. A handsome four-door, four-light Saloon, it was the first vehicle ever offered by the company with factory-designed coachwork, and the first to be assembled in Rolls-Royce's Crewe factory rather than the old Derby premises. The rationalisation proved to be a popular move in the pervading austerity and of the 5,202 MKVIs produced 4,190 were clothed in the in-house body.

The sizeable, X-braced chassis now featured hydraulic front brakes and independent front suspension by wishbones and coil springs. Only one length of wheelbase was offered - 10 foot. Power came from the new six-cylinder unit first seen in the short-lived MKV Saloon (of which only 11 examples were completed due to the onset of WWII). Though still 4256 cc in capacity, it was an entirely fresh design, with F-Type alloy head and belt drive for the dynamo and water pump. The adjoining four-speed manual gearbox now had synchromesh on all but first gear. Standard equipment included: heater, demisters, leather upholstery, radio, picnic tables, vanity mirrors, reading lights, spare coil, reversing lights, oil level indicator and fog lamp. Wheel spats and a sunroof were optional extras.

The right-hand drive Bentley MKVI on offer - chassis number B93GT - was one of the 1,012 coachbuilt examples. Ordered new in 1950 for a Manchester textile company, it is understood to be the only four-door, all aluminium Six Light Sports Saloon built to Park Ward's design #230. It is reputedly also the only Bentley underpinned by the longer chassis of the heavily related Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith and rides on 17-inch wheels shod with 600/650x17 Dunlop Fort tyres.

The coachwork of this splendid looking Bentley is finished in Metallic Shell Grey over Masons Black, while the suitably sumptuous interior is trimmed in Red St James hide. 'LNE 400' contains a number of notable extras including: an electric rear window blind; electric front windows (which would have been a considerable novelty in 1950); a steel sliding sunroof, and two cocktail cabinets - a brandy one in the driver's door and a whisky one on the passenger side. The Bentley's woodwork is finished in the very rare Macassar Ebony veneer. The small tool set is complete and located within the glovebox, while the large tools are where they should be - in the boot. Even the engine bay set is all present and correct, along with the original torch. The original valve radio has also survived the test of time and is in working order.

The vendor regards this rare and interesting Bentley to be in "generally stunning" condition, with "excellent" bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and four-speed manual transmission. It is taxed and MOT'd into September 2012 and is being sold complete the original buff and green continuation log books, numerous old MOT certificates, and the factory build sheet. This unique, matching numbers Bentley MKVI is understood to have recently benefited from some £25,000 worth of expenditure in order to return it to something approximating concours standard and indeed was runner-up for the Best Car award at the RREC's Southern Day this summer. A delightful survivor of a bygone era, 'LNE 400' would cut a dash wherever it went and surely deserves an owner who'll make full use of those cocktail cabinets, though hopefully not whilst driving!

PLEASE NOTE: The wheelbase measurement for this lot is the same as for a standard bodied Bentley MKVI albeit that its coachwork is unique.