1951 Bentley MKVI HJ Mulliner Sports Saloon
Earl's Court Motor Show Car

Registration No: TPU 600
Chassis No: B-12-MD
MOT: Exempt

• Understood to be one of just thirty-six Bentley MKVI chassis clothed by H.J. Mulliner to Design 7122 in 1951
• Part of a notable private collection since 1992
• Previously featured in various films and television shows
• Desirable 'bg bore', 4.5 litre MKVI

Introduced in 1946, the Bentley MKVI was aimed at the emerging 'owner-driver' luxury car market. 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 straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox (though, a larger 'big bore' 4566cc version was phased-in during 1951). 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. Thus, 830 of the 4,001 examples made were entrusted to external coachbuilders.

According to its accompanying copy build record, chassis B-12-MD was bodied as a Sports Saloon by HJ Mulliner and exhibited on the Bentley Motors stand at the 1951 Earl’s Court Motor Show. Among the earliest ‘big bore’, 4.6-litre cars made, the coachbuilt MKVI was subsequently supplied new to R. Collinson Esq via Charles H. Allen Ltd and issued with the distinctive Colchester number plate ‘TPU 600’. A small plaque for the 1983 Croscombe Trial affixed to the rear bodywork suggests that the Bentley had relocated to the West Country by then. Known to have spent time overseas thereafter, the Sports Saloon was repatriated during 1990. Self-evidently the subject of much past restoration work, the MKVI has formed part of a notable private, Somerset-based collection for the past thirty-four years. Garaged alongside hundreds of other vehicles, ‘TPU 600’ was hired out to various film and television companies so as to help pay its way. Handsomely finished in Blue over Silver with Light Grey leather upholstery (much of which appears to be original), the Bentley has appeared on the silver screen alongside Geraldine McEwan, Anthony Andrews, Charles Dance, Greta Scacchi, Tom Baker, Saffron Burrows, Greg Wise and Zoe Tapper etc. Sparingly used over the past decade, this ex-Motor Show ‘big bore’, coachbuilt MKVI ran well during our recent photography session showing good oil pressure but would benefit from recommissioning prior to proper usage. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and sundry paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737