1948 Mark VI  | 1948 Mark VI Countryman |
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1947 Bentley Mark VI news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Franay |
After finding its way to England, it was 'restored' to a pleasing appearance and sold to the current owners in 2000.
It has since been disassembled and restored properly, including new wood.
Originally purchased by A.J. Liechti of Saint Louis in East of France on the Franco-Swiss border one mile from Basel. The Liectti family had apartments in several of the world's capitals and kept their Rolls-Royce and Bentley at their various residences.
The Liechti family owned paper mills since prior to World War II which are still active today. A.J. purchased this car for touring the African Continent and years later subsequently registered the car in Paris in early 1960 with the same license plates on this today. 725-JT-75
It was 'restored' by an English car dealer and sold at a Pebble Beach auction in August 2000. The 'restoration' was a cosmetic one to sell the car. Upon closer inspection one problem surfaced after another and it took 8 years and over 8000 hours of paid labor to bring it back they way it should have been. Not only did the current owner have to remove the body from the chassis but all the attachments, nuts, bolts, suspension, etc. needed attention. The wood beneath the metal skin was found to have been burnt in one section and other areas had rot. Nearly 90% of the wood was replaced keeping only a few firm solid pieces. Two and one half years were spent at a metal fabricator where damaged or rotted metal that had been laden heavily with bondo, was meticulously replaced.
This car features two jump seats, a set of champagne glasses in the back seat and the original luggage. Beneath the tire cover the small tools are set in a nest within the spare tire. Additional tool storage is found set in a well on the floor.
 |  |  | Drophead Coupe Designer: Graber Chassis Num: B136BH |
| Sold for $110,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. Sold for $117,000 at 2011 Bonhams. | |||
This Convertible Coupe wears coachwork by Switzerland's famed Carrosserie Graber. Dr. Robert Kaffeli of Basel, Switzerland commissioned B136BH in 1947. This vehicle is one of just 35 Bentleys ever bodied by Graber. Of those, as many as 12 Drophead Coupes were built on the Mark VI chassis.
This vehicle was delivered to Dr. Kaffeli in red livery with a factory-fitted radio, a speedometer calibrated in kilometers, and double-filament headlamp bulbs. It was also fitted with a painted metal dash panel, rather than the tradition wooden units characteristic of the majority of Bentley production.
This vehicle has air conditioning, but it is unclear if this was a factory-original amenity.
In the 1980s, the car was given a restoration and refinished in dark blue and fitted with a cream cloth top. After the work was completed, the car was featured in Germany's Motor Klassik magazine. In 1997, the car was given another restoration. In late 2000, the current owner acquired it from Kr. Vladimir Bar, of Erligheim, Germany, and imported it to the UK. In 2001, the car had 88,250 kilometers on the odometer. A short time later, the speedometer was exchanged for one calibrated in miles.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Arizona sale where it was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $180,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $110,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011
In 1946 Bentley introduced the Mark VI which stayed in production until 1952 with just over 5200 examples being produced. The Mark VI's 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 to coachbuilders. The vehicle was then outfitted, often under the direction of the individual buyer. This meant that the specifications often varied and each creation was a unique design.
The Standard Steel Saloon body was produced at Pressed Steel's factory and delivered as a shell to the Rolls Royce factory. The body was then fitted to the chassis. It then received paint, lights, and chrome. The headlamps were no longer separate units but were integrated into the front wings. The interior was the final step in the build. It was outfitted in leather from Connolly and walnut veneer. Prior to 1949, all models were right hand drive and right side floor shift, which suited the British market. From 1949, the Bentley Mark VI was equivalent to the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. Their biggest difference was in their performance, with the Bentley the clear champion.
A sunroof and rear wheel spats were optional equipment. Later, the sunroof became standard on all Bentley Mark VI models.
The Bentley Mark VI saw very few changes during its six year production life span. The most significant change was the adaptation of an enlarged engine which was introduced in 1951. The 4566 cc (4.5 liter) engine did improve the performance of the vehicle.
Four thousand of the Mark VI's were outfitted with a F-Head 4257 cc (4.25 liter) inline-six cylinder engine with twin SU carburetors, and aluminum cylinder head. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed manual gearbox with single plate clutch. Top speed was achieved around 94 mph. Servo assisted Drum brakes provided the stopping power and the suspension were independent with coil springs.
Around 1000 of the Bentley Mark VI's were sent to individual coachbuilders. Some of the notable coachbuilders were H.J. Mulliner, James Young, Pinin Farina, Franay, Park Ward, Saoutchik and Facel. Their designs included custom sedans and convertible, also referred to as dropheads.
These rare creations were given additional attention to detail to satisfy their exclusive clientele. In modern times, they are highly sought after.
Four thousand Bentley Mark VI's were created with the 4257 cc engine with 832 examples being outfitted by coachbuilders. 1202 Bentley Mark VI's were created with the 4566 cc engine with 180 examples being outfitted by coachbuilders.
The Mark VI was succeeded by the R-Type Bentley. Many of the Bentley Mark VI's have not survived, this is mostly attributed to their poor steel quality of the early postwar years which results in rust.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe Standard Steel Saloon body was produced at Pressed Steel's factory and delivered as a shell to the Rolls Royce factory. The body was then fitted to the chassis. It then received paint, lights, and chrome. The headlamps were no longer separate units but were integrated into the front wings. The interior was the final step in the build. It was outfitted in leather from Connolly and walnut veneer. Prior to 1949, all models were right hand drive and right side floor shift, which suited the British market. From 1949, the Bentley Mark VI was equivalent to the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. Their biggest difference was in their performance, with the Bentley the clear champion.
A sunroof and rear wheel spats were optional equipment. Later, the sunroof became standard on all Bentley Mark VI models.
The Bentley Mark VI saw very few changes during its six year production life span. The most significant change was the adaptation of an enlarged engine which was introduced in 1951. The 4566 cc (4.5 liter) engine did improve the performance of the vehicle.
Four thousand of the Mark VI's were outfitted with a F-Head 4257 cc (4.25 liter) inline-six cylinder engine with twin SU carburetors, and aluminum cylinder head. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed manual gearbox with single plate clutch. Top speed was achieved around 94 mph. Servo assisted Drum brakes provided the stopping power and the suspension were independent with coil springs.
Around 1000 of the Bentley Mark VI's were sent to individual coachbuilders. Some of the notable coachbuilders were H.J. Mulliner, James Young, Pinin Farina, Franay, Park Ward, Saoutchik and Facel. Their designs included custom sedans and convertible, also referred to as dropheads.
These rare creations were given additional attention to detail to satisfy their exclusive clientele. In modern times, they are highly sought after.
Four thousand Bentley Mark VI's were created with the 4257 cc engine with 832 examples being outfitted by coachbuilders. 1202 Bentley Mark VI's were created with the 4566 cc engine with 180 examples being outfitted by coachbuilders.
The Mark VI was succeeded by the R-Type Bentley. Many of the Bentley Mark VI's have not survived, this is mostly attributed to their poor steel quality of the early postwar years which results in rust.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
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| 1948 Mark VI | 1948 Mark VI Countryman |
