Richard Stafford
Senior Specialist, Head of Research
LOT 633
1948 Bentley Mark VI 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd Registration no. GUS 732 Chassis no. B38EY
Sold for £78,200 inc. premium
Lot 633
1948 Bentley Mark VI 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd Registration no. GUS 732 Chassis no. B38EY
The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Motorcycles and Automobilia|7 September 2019, 16:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
1948 Bentley Mark VI 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé
Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd
Registration no. GUS 732
Chassis no. B38EY
Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd
Registration no. GUS 732
Chassis no. B38EY
* Rare coachbuilt soft-top Mark VI
* One of a believed 23 completed to this design
* Original interior
* Present ownership since 2014
Footnotes
The Autocar magazine was highly impressed with their Mark VI test car in the spring of 1950. 'Perhaps the outstanding thought from extensive driving of the Bentley MkVI built by the world's premier car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce, is that it has no single predominant feature but gains its unique position from a combination of superbly matched qualities that raise it above the level of other cars. Years of painstaking research and development with mechanical perfection as the goal show their results unmistakably. Smoothness and quietness and sheer quality are in the superlative.'
Despite the popularity of the standard steel body, a coachbuilt alternative remained the preferred choice of many customers. Indeed, anyone desiring a soft-top Rolls-Royce or Bentley had no alternative but to commission one from an independent coachbuilder, there being no factory-built alternative at this time.
With the passage of time many Mark VIs have lost their original bodywork, in many cases because it had deteriorated beyond economical repair. Not so this particular example, chassis number 'B38EY', which retains its original drophead coupé coachwork by Park Ward Ltd, a company that had been wholly owned by Rolls-Royce since 1939. Chassis number 'B38EY' is an early example of Park Ward's well-balanced design, which unlike some contemporary offerings manages to maintain its sleek appearance with the top raised. It is estimated that only some 23 cars were completed in this particular style. The current vendor has owned 'B38EY' since March 2014.
The Bentley is attractively finished in silver metallic with a contrasting red coachline, and most unusually retains its original Navy Blue/grey leather interior. Described by the private vendor as in generally good condition, this handsome and rare coachbuilt Mark VI is offered with sundry bills and a V5C Registration Certificate.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Motor Cars (UK)
Auction Viewings
- 6 September 2019, 10:00 - 17:00 BST
- 7 September 2019, 09:00 - 10:00 BST
- 7 September 2019, 10:00 - 18:00 BST
Bid now on these items
United Kingdom
1899 Phébus 2¼hp Motor Tricycle
£50,000 - £60,000
United Kingdom
1911 Delaunay-Belleville 26HP Tourer
£70,000 - £100,000
United Kingdom
1913 Hotchkiss Model AD 20/30 Tourer
£50,000 - £60,000
United Kingdom
1902 Beaufort 8hp Two-Seater Phaeton
£50,000 - £70,000
United KingdomOffered without reserve
c.1901 Gladiator Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau
£50,000 - £70,000
