conceptcarz.com

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.

1949 Bentley Mark VI photo
Sport Saloon by Pininfarina
View info and history
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.

1949 Bentley Mark VI photo
Sport Coupe by Vanvooren
View info and history
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

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....
Continue Reading >>

1949 Bentley Mark VI Vehicle Profiles

1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Sport Saloon

Chassis #: B399BZ
Engine #: B449D
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Pininfarina
Chassis #: B466DA
Engine #: B233D
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Mulliner
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Three-Position Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Worblaufen
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Sedanca Coupe

Coachwork: Hooper
Chassis #: B175CD
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B452LEY
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
H.J. Drophead Coupe

Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: B87EW
Engine #: B293E
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Gurney Nutting Coupe

Coachwork: Gurney Nutting
Chassis #: B320LFV
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Sport Saloon

Coachwork: Pininfarina
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Sport Saloon

Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: B357LEW
Engine #: B428E
1949 Bentley Mark VI vehicle information
Sport Coupe

Coachwork: Vanvooren

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$470-$15,195
1949 Mark VI
1949 Bentley Mark VI Price Range: $9,895 - $15,195

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

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

Related Automotive News

Prestigious European Classics, Including Exceptional 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, Added to Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

Prestigious European Classics, Including Exceptional 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, Added to Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

A selection of highly desirable concours-quality offerings from Europes finest automakers, including Bugatti, Bentley, Alfa Romeo, and Peugeot, to cross the auction block at Pebble Beach next month. Internationally acclaimed auction house Gooding...
2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show Winner

2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show Winner

1931 Bentley 8 Litre Named Best of Show at the 69th Pebble Beach Concours dElegance PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 18, 2019) — Every August, the history of the automobile rolls onto the competition field of the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance...
Lancia Named 2016 Best of Show

Lancia Named 2016 Best of Show

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 21, 2016) — The 2016 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance concluded with first-time entrant Richard Mattei lifting the top prize high overhead soon after his 1936 Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Cabriolet was named Best of...
2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 17, 2015) -- An Italian Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Cabriolet that once turned heads and garnered top prizes in the classic era glided to victory at the 65th Pebble Beach Concours dElegance on Sunday. The competition...

Postwar Ferrari Named Best of Show at 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe Named Best of Show PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 17, 2014) -- Excited cheers echoed across the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links Sunday when a 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe was named Best of...