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LOT 550

1947 Bentley MkVI 4¼-Litre Saloon Coachwork by Freestone & Webb Registration no. SMH 3 Chassis no. B80BH Engine no. B40B

Sold for £35,650 inc. premium
Lot 550

Multiple concours-winning and unique
1947 Bentley MkVI 4¼-Litre Saloon

1947 Bentley MkVI 4¼-Litre Saloon
Coachwork by Freestone & Webb

Registration no. SMH 3
Chassis no. B80BH
Engine no. B40B

• Formerly owned and restored by R-REC chairman Malcolm Tucker
• Engine rebuilt by RR&B Garages in the early 2000s
• Clutch and rear axle rebuilt by RR&B in 2009
• Present ownership since 2014
• Only circa 2,000 miles in the last 10 years
• Comprehensive history file

An early 4¼-litre model, this MkVI carries unique semi-razor-edge saloon coachwork by Freestone & Webb. The car was taken to the USA by a previous keeper and it was in a very sorry state when it was rediscovered there years later. It was, however, complete and was purchased and brought back to the UK by Malcolm Tucker, former chairman of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club. In collaboration with marque specialists Healey Brothers, Mr Tucker undertook a full 'body-off' restoration in the mid/late 1990s, and on completion in 1999 the car was awarded an R-REC 'Certificate of Merit'. A complete record of the works is on file.

The Bentley was purchased by the preceding owner in 2001 and subsequently benefited from a comprehensive engine rebuild by RR&B Garages (all bills on file). Replaced in the course of the rebuild, the original cylinder block is included in the sale together with a set of pistons. In 2009 RR&B rebuilt the clutch and rear axle.

Concours awards won include P&A Wood's 'Best Touring Car' at the R-REC annual rally (2005) and the Bentley Drivers' Club's 'Best Patina' award for best coachbuilt MkVI or R-Type (2006 and 2012). Our vendor purchased the MkVI at Bonhams' RAF Museum, Hendon sale in April 2014 (Lot 362), since when it has covered a mere 2,000-or-so miles.

'SMH 3' is finished in two-tone Garnet/Bordeaux livery with re-trimmed light tan leather upholstery and red carpets. Front seat seatbelts and Bentley-marked Talbot wheel trims (fitted from new) are the only notified deviations from factory specification.

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