 1948 Mark VI | 1948 Mark VI Countryman | 1950 Mark VI  |
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1949 Bentley Mark VI news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Three-Position Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Worblaufen |
The Mark VI chassis consists of X-braced channel steel, front independent suspension by coil springs and wishbones, rear suspension by semi-elliptic leaf spring and 4-wheel drum brakes. The car is powered by a water-cooled F-head, 6-cylinder engine with overhead intake valves and side exhaust valves, 4,257 cc, developing 130 horsepower and coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The present owner purchased the car in the mid-1970s and recently had it re-restored.
 |  |  | Mark VI Sport Saloon Coachwork: Pininfarina |
Frenchman Jean Daninos owned Facel-Metallon, which, among their talents, was a company that produced special bodies for major car companies. The chief designer and stylish was Jean Daninos. Their list of clients included marque's such as Simca and Ford.
Daninos commissioned Pinin Farina to create a fastback, two-door, saloon atop a Bentley Mark VI chassis The prototype carried chassis number #B323CD. Once the prototype was completed, it was put into series production by the Facel-Metallon company.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
 |  |  | H.J. Mulliner Sport Saloon Coachwork: Mulliner |
Bentley used an F-head, six-cylinder engine of 4257cc (in 1949) and four-speed all synchromesh transmission - on right hand drive cars the gear lever was to the right, on left hand drive, that is American and Continental European market cars, it was four-on-the-tree. These were, and are, strong, handsome and useful cars.
This beautifully restored, very rare, left-hand drive 4-speed column shift two door coupe. This car wears a one-of-a-kind body by Vanvooren of Paris. The restoration on this car today would cost over $300,000. It was sold new by the authorized Rolls-Royce dealer in Paris, Franco Britannic to Ortis Linarcs on April of 1949. It was restored in 2000 for Eugene Sorbo of Massachusetts.
 |  |  | H.J. Mulliner Saloon Coachwork: Mulliner |
The car is powered by a water-cooled, F-head, 6-cylinder, overhead intake valves and side exhaust valves, 4257cc (4.25 Liter) engine, developing 130 horsepower. It is fitted with a four-speed manual transmission and the 4,070 lb vehicle is capable of 100 mph.
 |  |  | H.J. Mulliner Sport Saloon Coachwork: Mulliner Chassis Num: B357LEW Engine Num: B428E |
| Sold for $66,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. | |||
The Mark VI was the fist Bentley with standard factory-designed bodywork built by the Pressed Steel Company of Oxford with ex-Gurney Nutting Chief Designer John Blatchley applying the detailing. Custom coachwork remained as an option.
In total, there were 4,949 Mark VIs produced through 1952.
This example is a left-hand drive and was first ordered through Jack Barclay, Ltd. and shipped to the United States via the SS Queen Mary about January 20, 1952. The original owner was Sir Duncan Orr-Lewis, a British nobleman, who used the Hotel Plaza New York City as the registered address at the time. The odometer currently reads 52,541 kilometers, is finished in blue with black fenders and red pin-striping.
In 2009, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $50,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $66,000, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009
 |  | H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Mulliner Chassis Num: B87EW Engine Num: B293E |
| Sold for $104,500 at 2011 Gooding & Company. | ||
This example is one of those 12 dropheads produced and one of just five that feature the concealed-head design, internally designated 7121. It was originally ordered through John Croall & Sons for Eva S. Borthwick-Norton. The car was ordered with the family's preferred color, deep maroon, with grey upholstery and walnut woodwork. It was outfitted with ashtrays, Lucas mirrors, double-thickness floor mats, sun visors, a radio, and a suitcase.
This car, the last of the 12 built, was sold to Mrs. A.D. Harcourt Woods of Oxford in 1953. Several years later, it became the property of Bolton politician A.L. Tillotson. In the early 1960s, it came to the United States and into the car of its current owner, a California resident. During the 1980s and 1990s, the car was given a restoration and later, a mechanical refurbishment.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $75,000 - $100,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $104,500 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2011
 |  |  | Park Ward Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Park Ward & Co. |
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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| POW! BAM! ZOOM! The Original 1966 TV Batmobile To Cross Auction Block At Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale | |
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| 1948 Mark VI | 1948 Mark VI Countryman | 1950 Mark VI |
