Geneva Auto Salon Car

1950 Bentley Mk VI Drophead Coupe

Coachwork by Park Ward & Co. Ltd

4,257cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Twin-Choke Carburetor
Approximately 130bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Delivered new to Switzerland
*Documented by its factory build records
*Sporting and elegant Bentley of finest quality
*Recently made to run

Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

THE BENTLEY MARK VI

After World War II when Bentley production resumed at the new Rolls-Royce facility in Crewe, England, the model being built was the Mark VI. The Mark VI marked a radical change for Rolls-Royce, being the first car to be offered by the company with factory designed coachwork. Very similar to the contemporary Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn, primary differences were to the grille, trim and badging. Close fraternal twins in appearance, mechanically the two were identical.

Both the Rolls and the Bentley shared a 4,257cc F-head straight-six. Though Rolls-Royce and Bentley never released horsepower figures, output has been estimated at approximately 126-132 horsepower with induction handled by a pair of SU carburetors and electrical components supplied by Lucas. Transmission was a synchromesh four-speed manual with choice of either floor or column selection. Independent suspension was used up front, with a live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs out back. Front control of the drum brakes was hydraulic, with mechanical actuation of the rear drums. Between 1946 and 1952, a total of 4,946 Mark VI Bentleys left the works.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Documented by copies of the original factory build records on file, these note that following its construction by Park Ward & Co. Ltd, the Bentley was destined for Switzerland, where under the agency of Garage de L'Athenée it is understood that it was displayed at the Geneva Salon in the spring of 1950.

It was either already sold, or perhaps was bought from the Show stand, but its first formal owner is listed as a Madame Meeking, who was resident at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva, and had the car guaranteed to her as of March 14, 1950. As new, it wore much the same scheme that we see today, being painted cream, only with the addition of black and a black interior. Specifics on the order included a power top, odometer in kilometers, special stop and reverse lamps, and no inset licence plate to the trunk lid as was the norm for home market cars.

Mme. Meeking would only retain the car for 8 months, before it moved across the border and north to a Parisian gentleman, Mr. Richepin, living on the Avenue Foch. Those two are the only early owners on record. By the early 2000s, the Bentley had migrated further afield and was resident in California with a Mr. Charles Arenson, it passed through a noted Los Angeles car dealer in August 2007 to the current owner.

In general terms the car is best described as a much older restoration. Its interior leather in black piped with white has some consistent color loss from age and/or wear, but does appear predominantly complete and retains period details such as a dashboard radio. The exterior shows a universal thickness of paint from multiple resprays, and then age to the panel joins, door jambs and usual areas that see the most activity. Although not run in a number of years, with a modest amount of work the car was made to run, but it will no doubt require more extensive recommissioning prior to use.

On file are the car's original handbook, the aforementioned records and some tools in the period tray.