1952 Bentley Mark VI

Production of Bentley's first postwar luxury car, the Mark VI, began in 1946 and continued through 1952. It was the first Bentley model built with all-steel coachwork and the first car fully assembled and completed at their factory. The coachwork was constructed by Park Ward, a company that was founded in 1919 by William M. Park and Charles W. Ward. The introduction of the Mark VI coincided with steel shortages across Europe resulting in a desperate lack of new cars for sale on the UK market. Due to the shortages and demand, three-year-old examples were selling for up to 30 percent more than their original purchase price.

Park Ward built bodies for various car manufacturers in the early 1920s and initially became associated with Bentley after they moved their chassis manufacturing factory to a nearby town. Bentley enlisted Park Ward to complete the coachwork for the majority of their cars in the mid-1920s.

Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley in 1931, precluding Bentley purchasing a stake in Park Ward Coachwork.

With the start of the Mark VI chassis, Bentley was producing their own all-steel bodies in a 4-door and 2-door saloon, and 2-door Drophead Coupe configuration. They also produced a bare chassis for custom coachwork to satisfy customer's individual requests.

Powering the Bentley Mark VI was a 4,257cc (4.3-liter) F-head straight-6 engine which was replaced in 1951 with a 4.6-liter version. The 4.6-liter version featured a twin exhaust. The transmission was a 4-speed synchromesh manual with a column-mounted change lever on the right. An independent coil spring suspension was used at the front while the rear had leaf springs. A control centered on the steering wheel provided an adjustment for the hardness of the rear springing by hydraulically adjusting the rear dampers. A check valve provided pressure by diverting transmission oil to the dampers. All moving parts of the suspension were lubricated by a pedal-operated system type Bijur-Girling from a central reservoir. Stopping power was courtesy of 12.25-inch drum brakes assisted by Rolls-Royce mechanical servo at the transmission. Factory bodies were made by Pressed Steel Limited of Coventry and sent to the Bentley works at Crewe for painting and fitting with the traditional walnut.

The Bentley Mark VI was produced from 1946 to 1952 with 5,208 examples built including 241 clothed by H.J. Mulliner.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019