Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 169
1949 Bentley MkVI Convertible Coachwork by Park Ward Chassis no. B452LEY
Sold for US$196,000 inc. premium
Lot 169
1949 Bentley MkVI Convertible
1949 Bentley MkVI Convertible
Coachwork by Park Ward
Chassis no. B452LEY
Coachwork by Park Ward
Chassis no. B452LEY
4,257cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Twin-Choke Carburetor
Approximately 130bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Original US delivery, left hand drive car
* Recently emerging from long term enthusiast ownership
* Practical, all weather four seat touring car
* Formerly owned by noted marque exponent Dale Powers
THE BENTLEY MARK VI
The policy of rationalization begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after the war with the introduction of standard bodywork. In a break from the coachbuilt tradition this was made of pressed steel panels welded together. The new 'standard steel' body was available at first only on the MkVI Bentley, though customers could still opt for a coachbuilt alternative, such as the car offered here. A separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, that of the MkVI (and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) measuring 10' exactly. Notable features were independent front suspension and hydraulic front brakes. Powering the range was a new 4,257cc six-cylinder engine featuring inlet-over-exhaust valve gear and breathing through a Stromberg carburetor (Rolls-Royce) or twin SUs (Bentley).
In today's sale we offer examples of both the ever popular Standard Steel coachwork, but also a brace of coachbuilt cars. In fact, despite the popularity of the 'standard steel' body, 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. In this case the chosen company was Park Ward Ltd.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This convertible Bentley arrives on the market having recently emerged from its long-term custody in a prominent enthusiast's collection of coachbuilt motorcars where it had resided since 1993. In fact, the car can trace succinct American ownership from day one, since it was originally delivered new to this country, via US agents J.S. Inskip in 1949. The 'L' suffix in its chassis number confirms that it was one of the rarer left hand drive configuration cars.
The original owner of the car was Robert F. de Graff, who is credited as the co-founder of Pocket Books, Inc. who were publishers and one of the first to distribute paperback books en masse in this country. It has always worn the handsome fully convertible coachwork which we see today, and was built by noted British house Park Ward, to their Design No. 100.
We understand that long time enthusiast, trader and restorer of Bentleys and other fine cars, Dale Powers acquired the car directly from de Graff and would keep it until the early 1990s. On its arrival in this last collection, the car was subject to a concours-level restoration. When completed the car debuted here at Amelia Island in 2012, receiving and Amelia Award in the Bentley class.
Seeing the car today a little more than a decade later it is easy to see what the judges and former owner appreciated in the car. It truly oozes class from its bright silver paintwork, with grey cloth convertible top and accented with a plethora of chrome trim, to its red Connolly leather upholstery. The interior carries beautifully refinished walnut trim, and a host of features including dash mounted tool tray and electric window lifts for the doors.
Supporting its aesthetics and modest ownership trail are documentation that stretches from copies of its original factory records, to copies of The Flying Lady publication depicting the car in Powers' tenure together with a rare and desirable original owner's manual.
Showing well today as it did a decade ago this is a very nicely turned-out example of its breed, with simple provenance and would be an ideal entry to Rolls-Royce Owners Club events.
Single Twin-Choke Carburetor
Approximately 130bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Original US delivery, left hand drive car
* Recently emerging from long term enthusiast ownership
* Practical, all weather four seat touring car
* Formerly owned by noted marque exponent Dale Powers
THE BENTLEY MARK VI
The policy of rationalization begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after the war with the introduction of standard bodywork. In a break from the coachbuilt tradition this was made of pressed steel panels welded together. The new 'standard steel' body was available at first only on the MkVI Bentley, though customers could still opt for a coachbuilt alternative, such as the car offered here. A separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, that of the MkVI (and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) measuring 10' exactly. Notable features were independent front suspension and hydraulic front brakes. Powering the range was a new 4,257cc six-cylinder engine featuring inlet-over-exhaust valve gear and breathing through a Stromberg carburetor (Rolls-Royce) or twin SUs (Bentley).
In today's sale we offer examples of both the ever popular Standard Steel coachwork, but also a brace of coachbuilt cars. In fact, despite the popularity of the 'standard steel' body, 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. In this case the chosen company was Park Ward Ltd.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This convertible Bentley arrives on the market having recently emerged from its long-term custody in a prominent enthusiast's collection of coachbuilt motorcars where it had resided since 1993. In fact, the car can trace succinct American ownership from day one, since it was originally delivered new to this country, via US agents J.S. Inskip in 1949. The 'L' suffix in its chassis number confirms that it was one of the rarer left hand drive configuration cars.
The original owner of the car was Robert F. de Graff, who is credited as the co-founder of Pocket Books, Inc. who were publishers and one of the first to distribute paperback books en masse in this country. It has always worn the handsome fully convertible coachwork which we see today, and was built by noted British house Park Ward, to their Design No. 100.
We understand that long time enthusiast, trader and restorer of Bentleys and other fine cars, Dale Powers acquired the car directly from de Graff and would keep it until the early 1990s. On its arrival in this last collection, the car was subject to a concours-level restoration. When completed the car debuted here at Amelia Island in 2012, receiving and Amelia Award in the Bentley class.
Seeing the car today a little more than a decade later it is easy to see what the judges and former owner appreciated in the car. It truly oozes class from its bright silver paintwork, with grey cloth convertible top and accented with a plethora of chrome trim, to its red Connolly leather upholstery. The interior carries beautifully refinished walnut trim, and a host of features including dash mounted tool tray and electric window lifts for the doors.
Supporting its aesthetics and modest ownership trail are documentation that stretches from copies of its original factory records, to copies of The Flying Lady publication depicting the car in Powers' tenure together with a rare and desirable original owner's manual.
Showing well today as it did a decade ago this is a very nicely turned-out example of its breed, with simple provenance and would be an ideal entry to Rolls-Royce Owners Club events.
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