1952 Bentley Mark VI

Production of Bentley's first postwar luxury car, the Mark VI, began in 1946 and continued through 1952. It was the first Bentley model built with all-steel coachwork and the first car fully assembled and completed at their factory. The coachwork was constructed by Park Ward, a company that was founded in 1919 by William M. Park and Charles W. Ward. The introduction of the Mark VI coincided with steel shortages across Europe resulting in a desperate lack of new cars for sale on the UK market. Due to the shortages and demand, three-year-old examples were selling for up to 30 percent more than their original purchase price.

1952 Bentley Mark VI photo
Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis #: 8332MD
View info and history
Park Ward built bodies for various car manufacturers in the early 1920s and initially became associated with Bentley after they moved their chassis manufacturing factory to a nearby town. Bentley enlisted Park Ward to complete the coachwork for the majority of their cars in the mid-1920s.

Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley in 1931, precluding Bentley purchasing a stake in Park Ward Coachwork.

With the start of the Mark VI chassis, Bentley was producing their own all-steel bodies in a 4-door and 2-door saloon, and 2-door Drophead Coupe configuration. They also produced a bare chassis for custom coachwork to satisfy customer's individual requests.

1952 Bentley Mark VI photo
Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis #: 8332MD
View info and history
Powering the Bentley Mark VI was a 4,257cc (4.3-liter) F-head straight-6 engine which was replaced in 1951 with a 4.6-liter version. The 4.6-liter version featured a twin exhaust. The transmission was a 4-speed synchromesh manual with a column-mounted change lever on the right. An independent coil spring suspension was used at the front while the rear had leaf springs. A control centered on the steering wheel provided an adjustment for the hardness of the rear springing by hydraulically adjusting the rear dampers. A check valve provided pressure by diverting transmission oil to the dampers. All moving parts of the suspension were lubricated by a pedal-operated system type Bijur-Girling from a central reservoir. Stopping power was courtesy of 12.25-inch drum brakes assisted by Rolls-Royce mechanical servo at the transmission. Factory bodies were made by Pressed Steel Limited of Coventry and sent to the Bentley works at Crewe for painting and fitting with the traditional walnut.

The Bentley Mark VI was produced from 1946 to 1952 with 5,208 examples built including 241 clothed by H.J. Mulliner.


by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019

Related Reading : Bentley Mark VI History

In 1946 Bentley introduced the Mark VI which stayed in production until 1952 with just over 5200 examples being produced. The Mark VIs were large and impressive four-door automobiles. This marked the first automobile completely constructed by Rolls Royce and signified their desire to move towards a standardized body construction. Prior to this, Rolls Royce and Bentley provided a rolling chassis....
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1952 Bentley Mark VI Vehicle Profiles

1952 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Cabriolet

Coachwork: Hermann Graber
Chassis #: B184MD
Engine #: BC95B
1952 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B72LNZ
Engine #: BA649
1952 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B135LNY
1952 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
1952 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: B342NZ
Engine #: B171N
1952 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 8332MD

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$255-$10,700
1952 Mark VI
$10,700-$17,350
1952 Bentley Mark VI Base Price : $10,700

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1952 Bentley Models
$10,735 - $17,350

Mark VI

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 259.78 CID., 132.00hp
120.10 in.
6 cyl., 260.00 CID., 126.00hp
$9,905 - $15,205
120.10 in.
6 cyl., 260.00 CID., 126.00hp
$9,900 - $9,900
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 259.78 CID., 130.00hp
$9,895 - $15,195
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 259.78 CID., 126.00hp
$9,900 - $9,900
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 259.72 CID., 125.00hp
$9,900 - $9,900
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 278.63 CID., 153.00hp
$10,700 - $10,700

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