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The Bentley Mark VI represented the first post-World War II development by Rolls-Royce and Bentley of a luxury car designed for owner-drivers. The Mark VI was powered by a new F-head engine with overhead intake and side exhaust valves. The X-braced chassis frame employed an independent front suspension setup and came equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox and hydraulically operated front and servo-assisted mechanical rear brakes. Over the years that followed, the design was continually refined, with May 1951 seeing the introduction of the more powerful 'Big Bore' model featured a 4.5-liter engine, with full-flow oil filter and dual exhaust.
Roughly seventy-five percent of the Mark VI models were given the factory's Standard Steel Saloon body. 1,022 received special coachwork, and five of those were given drophead coupe bodies.
Sir John Black, the Managing Director of Standard Motor Company Ltd., commissioned this unique 1952 Bentley Mark VI four-passenger convertible coupe with coachwork by Mulliner of Birmingham in 1950. After acquiring the Triumph Motor Company, Sir John's Standard Motor Company worked with the coachbuilder to design and build the Triumph Razoredge saloon in 1946, from which several design elements were used on his new Bentley. Sir John's Mark VI later served as the inspiration for the design for the 1956 Standard Motors - built Triumph TR2. The signature flowing line of the Bentley's flanks can be found on both the earlier Razoredge and the later TR2. This car is the only Bentley finished by Mulliner of Birmingham after 1945. It has a one-off design by Stuart Peck.
Shortly after the new Triumph sports cars were introduced, Sir John sold the Bentley to Leslie Onslow of Bournemouth. It later was sent to California where its owners included C.J. Gelber, who drove it for a decade, and A. Sheratin Atkinson. In 1973, it was purchased by Dr. Kurt Hammerstrom and began a restoration before storing it for the next 37 years. His estate sold it to a Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast in California, who commissioned an extensive and authentic mechanical and cosmetic restoration, lasting five years and over 12,000 man-hours.
The only change made to the original specifications was to replace the original, black livery with three shades of grey. The interior features red leather seats that are piped in grey, with grey carpets and top, polished wood veneer. The door interiors feature an Art Deco 'sunburst' stitch pattern in red leather. The original 'His Master's Voice' Radiomobile 100 radio has been converted to AM/FM operation, with hidden speakers fitted in the doors.
After the restoration was completed, the car was displayed in the post-war Touring class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, followed by several other California events. Accolades include Best in Class and Most Elegant Open Car at Ironstone, Best in Class and Best of Show at the Niello Concours, and Best in Class at Hillsborough.
Roughly seventy-five percent of the Mark VI models were given the factory's Standard Steel Saloon body. 1,022 received special coachwork, and five of those were given drophead coupe bodies.
Sir John Black, the Managing Director of Standard Motor Company Ltd., commissioned this unique 1952 Bentley Mark VI four-passenger convertible coupe with coachwork by Mulliner of Birmingham in 1950. After acquiring the Triumph Motor Company, Sir John's Standard Motor Company worked with the coachbuilder to design and build the Triumph Razoredge saloon in 1946, from which several design elements were used on his new Bentley. Sir John's Mark VI later served as the inspiration for the design for the 1956 Standard Motors - built Triumph TR2. The signature flowing line of the Bentley's flanks can be found on both the earlier Razoredge and the later TR2. This car is the only Bentley finished by Mulliner of Birmingham after 1945. It has a one-off design by Stuart Peck.
Shortly after the new Triumph sports cars were introduced, Sir John sold the Bentley to Leslie Onslow of Bournemouth. It later was sent to California where its owners included C.J. Gelber, who drove it for a decade, and A. Sheratin Atkinson. In 1973, it was purchased by Dr. Kurt Hammerstrom and began a restoration before storing it for the next 37 years. His estate sold it to a Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast in California, who commissioned an extensive and authentic mechanical and cosmetic restoration, lasting five years and over 12,000 man-hours.
The only change made to the original specifications was to replace the original, black livery with three shades of grey. The interior features red leather seats that are piped in grey, with grey carpets and top, polished wood veneer. The door interiors feature an Art Deco 'sunburst' stitch pattern in red leather. The original 'His Master's Voice' Radiomobile 100 radio has been converted to AM/FM operation, with hidden speakers fitted in the doors.
After the restoration was completed, the car was displayed in the post-war Touring class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, followed by several other California events. Accolades include Best in Class and Most Elegant Open Car at Ironstone, Best in Class and Best of Show at the Niello Concours, and Best in Class at Hillsborough.
2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $400,000-USD $500,000
Sale Price :
USD $434,000
2016 Mecum : Monterey
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $200,000
1952 Bentley Mark VI Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley Mark VI
(Data based on Model Year 1952 sales)
1952 Bentley Mark VI Cabriolet by Graber Chassis#: B190MD Sold for USD$257,600 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupe Sold for USD$137,500 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
1952 BENTLEY MARK VI 4½-LITRE DROPHEAD COUPÉ Chassis#: B455NY Sold for USD$67,490 2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1952 BENTLEY MARK VI SALOON COUPÉ BY JAMES YOUNG Chassis#: B260MD Sold for USD$224,316 2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupe by Park Ward Chassis#: B 465 NY Sold for USD$123,200 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Special Chassis#: B351NY Sold for USD$85,386 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, The European Summer Auction | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI 'Special' Sold for USD$85,500 2019 Silverstone - NEC Classic Motor Show | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI 4½-Litre Sports Chassis#: B239NY Sold for USD$65,884 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1952 Bentley MkVI Sold for USD$22,000 2019 Mecum Portland | |
1952 Bentley MK VI Saloon Chassis#: :B260NZ Sold for USD$20,508 2018 H & H Auction - Imperial War Museum, Duxford | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Foursome Coupe by Mulliners of Birmingham Chassis#: B342NZ Sold for USD$434,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1952 Bentley MK VI Saloon Chassis#: B373MB Sold for USD$28,776 2018 H&H - Pavilion Gardens Motor Car | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Special Chassis#: B239NY Sold for USD$63,241 2017 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale | |
1952 BENTLEY MK VI SPECIAL Chassis#: B351NY Sold for USD$14,558 2017 Coys Blenheim Palace | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupe by Park Ward Chassis#: B72LNZ Sold for USD$198,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | |
1953 Bentley Mark VI Cabriolet Conversion by Graber Chassis#: B184MD Sold for USD$253,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Saloon Sold for USD$8,800 2017 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale Az | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupe Chassis#: B135LNY Sold for USD$95,000 2016 Mecum : Monterey | |
1952 Bentley MK VI Sports Saloon Sold for USD$24,200 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | |
1952 Bentley Mark 6 Sold for USD$65,500 2015 Carlisle Events : Zephyrhills Winter Auction |
Bentley Mark VIs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1952 Bentley Mark VI's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 Bentley Mark VI Graber Drophead Coupe | B184MD | 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | $425,000 | $475,000 | |
1952 Bentley MK VI Freestone & Webb Saloon | BT46NZ | 2020 H & H Imperial War Museum Duxford | $30,000 | $40,000 | |
1952 BENTLEY MK VI | B145PU | 2019 The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupe | B342NZ | 2016 Mecum : Monterey | $200,000 | ||
1952 Bentley Mark VI | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | $40,000 | |||
1952 Bentley Mark VI | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1952 Bentley MkVI 4½-Litre Saloon | B204PV | 2011 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia | $18,000 | $20,000 | |
1952 Bentley MkVI 4½-Litre Coupé | B287NY | 2011 Bonhams Bonhams Oxford, Collectors' Motor Cars | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
1952 Bentley Mark VI Cabriolet | B192MD | 2011 The Scottsdale Auction Gooding & Company | $225,000 | $275,000 | |
1952 Bentley MkVI kSaloon | B226PV | 2006 Bonhams A Sale of RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia | $22,000 | $25,000 | |
1952 Bentley MkVI 4.6-Litre Cabriolet | B467NY | 2005 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia | $28,000 | $32,000 | |
1952 BENTLEY MARK VI TWO DOOR | 2002 Kruse Auction Ft. Lauderdale, FL | $45,000 |
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1951 Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A Chassis#:136.042.04915/51 Sold for $80,558 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich |
1952 Bentley Mark VI
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