1949 Bentley Mark VI

After World War II, and as the world slowly reverted to a peacetime economy, Rolls-Royce moved its Motor Division out of Derby to a facility it had established at Crewe in Cheshire for the purpose of building Spitfire engines. Pyms Lane was to become the longest-ever serving home to the marque; its current location. The motor manufacturers of Great Britain were served a completely new and ultra-punitive taxation culture, as a direct consequence of the massive debt that the country had accrued to defeat fascism. Rolls-Royce faced this challenge with the introduction of the Bentley MK VI, a successful model that helped ensure sufficient breathing space for the parent company to re-establish its prestige and position.

The Bentley MKVI was introduced in 1946 and was the first post-war Bentley model. They featured a cruciform-braced chassis with independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle. Power was from a 4257cc overhead inlet side exhaust valve straight-six engine mated to a synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox (choice of either floor or column selection). With the Bentley 'standard steel saloon' coachwork, the MKVI was capable of over 100 mph. Braking was handled by hydraulic drum brakes in the front and mechanical actuation of the rear drums.

The Bentley MK VI was similar to the contemporary Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn, primary differences were to the grille, trim, and badging. Mechanically the two were identical. Both shared the 4,257cc F-head straight-six engine and horsepower figures and output was never released but estimated at approximately 126-132 horsepower with induction handled by a pair of SU carburetors (Stromberg for LHD cars) and electrical components supplied by Lucas. It had seven main bearings, solid valve lifters, a cast iron block and aluminum heads.

The wheelbase measured 120 inches, had an overall length of 192 inches, stood 68 inches tall, and was 70 inches wide.

The Bentley Mark VI 'standard steel' Sport Saloon had seating for five passengers and was priced at around $10,000 (USD). The forward-looking design was a slab-sided stylistic departure from the previous bulging fender-styled coachwork. Additional coachwork was provided by independent coachbuilders, including H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Gurney Nutting, Hooper, Freestone & Webb, and James Young. H.J. Mulliner produced a two- and four-door Sport Saloon and a drophead coupe with prices in the neighborhood of $15,000 for the closed coachwork. Park Ward's catalog included a saloon, two-door coupe, and drophead coupe, and Gurney Nutting created a two-door Sedanca Coupe. James Young, Freestone & Webb, and Hooper also offered a two-door coupe. Freestone & Webb and Hooper offered a four-door saloon, and James Young a Sport Saloon.

Between 1946 and 1952, a total of 4,946 (as many as 5,208) Mk VI Bentley's left the works.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019