LOT 15

1950 Bentley MkVI Standard Steel Saloon Chassis no. B1LHP Engine no. Originally B126H

Sold for US$13,440 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 15

1950 Bentley MkVI Standard Steel Saloon

The California Online Winter Auction|11 December 2023, 10:15 PST|Online, Los Angeles

1950 Bentley MkVI Standard Steel Saloon
Chassis no. B1LHP
Engine no. Originally B126H

4,257cc F-Head Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Solex Carburetor
Approximately 130bhp
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Independent Coil Spring Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle with Leaf Springs
Hydraulic Front, Mechanical Rear Drum Brakes

*Bentley's first factory-bodied model
*Robust and refined inline-six power
*Desirable left-drive specification
*Requires recommissioning

THE BENTLEY MARK VI

The move toward rationalization which began in the 1930s made a significant leap forward at Rolls-Royce after the war with the company's first application of standard bodywork on the Mark VI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WWII product, the Mark VI was introduced in 1946, a year ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, and three years ahead of the Silver Dawn.

The decision to offer a complete car with 'in house' bodywork had been dictated by harsh economic reality and evolving customer demands. 'Export or die' was the slogan of the late 1940s, and the manufacture of standardized steel-bodied cars was deemed essential to selling in sufficient quantities to overseas markets. Despite the misgivings of traditionalists, exports rose steadily and, when the home market stabilized, the classically styled 'standard steel' bodywork proved equally acceptable, accounting for 80% of total production of this first post-war Bentley.

To appease clients who still preferred custom coachwork, the separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, that of the Mark VI (and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) measuring 10' exactly. Other 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 single Stromberg carburetor for Rolls Royce models and exported Bentleys, though home-market Mark VI cars got twin S.U. units.

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."

THE CAR OFFERED

Chassis B1LHP is an "H Series" chassis, wearing factory Standard Steel Saloon coachwork produced by Pressed Steel Ltd. Factory build records show this car was prepared for use in France, and delivered via Franco Britannia Automobiles. It left the works finished in black with a single ivory coach line over tan hides and brown carpet.

Other options include a close-ratio gearbox, sliding sunroof, Smiths AM radio, and a "cyclops" Lucas driving lamp. This Mark VI presents in complete and largely original condition with correct factory details intact. It displays a consistent overall patina and is the ideal canvas for restoration or to prepare for rallies and road events, where the capable and refined Mark VI chassis can be fully appreciated. Please note that this vehicle has been on long-term static display in a dry climate, it has not been started while in Bonhams care, and will require recommissioning.

Additional information

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