1947 Bentley Mark VI

$37,500

This classic, fully-restored beauty is the one of which I am most proud. I was involved in the exciting total restoration process from beginning to end. I don't care if I never sell it!

This elegant standard steel saloon began its life in 1947 with Count Mario Pinci in France, brought to the United States by a Mr. Carroll, Esq. of New York in 1961, and purchased by the third owner in 1965 from whom I obtained it. The car needed complete restoration when I got it since very little had been done to it for 45 years. A massive amount of money was spent on the restoration of the body, the interior, the engine and all the mechanics...to the point that now the car is a superior example of the Bentley marque.

The pictures show only a small part of the restoration and finished vehicle, but we have a great photo album of the process from beginning to end. The interior was redone, recovering the leather front seats, replacing the wooden door cards and covering them with new leather, restoring the wooden dash. The body was completely shot-blasted with plastic pellets down to the bare metal, damaged metal was replaced with metal and weld; no bondo was used. Two part epoxy paint with clear coat put the excellent finish on the exterior.

It is in the original Mason's Black and Ivory color combination with gray leather, RHD, 4 speed that drives absolutely superbly, strong engine with lots of power, good gearbox with strong syncros, excellent rebuilt brakes, good steering, clutch, etc. The semaphores work but are disconnected in lieu of working turning lights for more careful modern driving. This is a very high quality unusual bodied Mark VI that is very elegant in person. This would not be out of place in a serious collection.

A BIT OF HISTORY:

"In 1946 Bentley introduced the Mark VI and 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 Roll Royce and signified their desire to move towards a 'standardized' body construction... The Standard Steel Saloon body was produced at Pressed Steel's factory and delivered as a shell to the RR factory. The body was then fitted to the chassis. It then received paint, lights, and chrome. 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...

"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."
— Daniel Vaughan/ March 2006

For the reasons outlined above I feel that the 1946-55 cars should be considered the second most important the company made and amongst the best ever made by any company, Rolls-Royce included. And if you ask many of the specialists that have wide experience what they think, you'll probably find they agree. They will also point that these cars are far simpler and easier to work on than either their successors or their predecessors and that they are also longer-lived and more reliable. Herbert Austin always said that more parts meant more trouble and he was right - the MKVI is Rolls-Royce's simplest car after the Ghost!

This car is an absolute wonder! It really starts and drives superbly and is completely dependable. If you are a serious collector you could not find a better example of this ever increasing classic. Come give it a look over!