Property of a Gentleman
1952 Bentley Mark VI 4½-Litre Drophead Coupé

• The only Mark VI Bentley bodied by Mulliners of Birmingham
• Commissioned by Sir John Black, Managing Director of Standard-Triumph
• Extensive 12,000 man-hour restoration by marque specialists
• Exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2014
• Multiple concours award-winner

The policy of rationalisation begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after the war with the introduction of standard bodywork on the Mark VI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WW2 product, the Mark VI was introduced in 1946, a year ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. Although mechanically similar to the Mark VI, the latter was exclusively a coachbuilt car, the first 'standard steel' Rolls-Royce, the Silver Dawn, not appearing until 1949.

In a break from the coachbuilt tradition the new standardised body was made of pressed steel panels welded together. It was available at first only on the Mark VI Bentley, though customers could still opt for a coachbuilt alternative. A 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. 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 carburettor (Rolls-Royce) or twin SUs (Bentley). This unit would be enlarged to 4,566cc in 1951 and 4,887cc in 1954 as development progressed.

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. The 'standard steel' saloon body accounted for around 75% of Mark VI production; only 1,022 were fitted with special coachwork, a mere five of which received one-off drophead coupé bodies.

Chassis number 'B342NZ' is the only Mark VI Bentley fitted with coachwork by Mulliners of Birmingham. A firm associated almost exclusively with Calthorpe in its early days, and from the mid-to-late 1920s with Austin, Mulliners subsequently diversified into other makes and in 1958 was taken over by Standard-Triumph, having first collaborated with the Coventry-based manufacturer in the late 1940s. This car was commissioned by Sir John Black, Standard-Triumph's Managing Director, and is a one-off design by Stuart Peck.

Some time later Sir John sold his Bentley to Mr Leslie Onslow of Bournemouth. The car subsequently travelled to California where its owners included one C J Gelber, who drove it for 10 years, and A Sheratin Atkinson. In 1973 ownership passed to Dr Kurt Hammerstrom, and the car was restored before being placed in storage for the next 37 years. It was sold by his estate to the immediately preceding owner, a longtime Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast in California, who was a member of the R-ROC, R-REC and Bentley Drivers' Club. He immediately commissioned recognised Bentley specialists to carry out an extensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration, which would take five years and over 12,000 man-hours to complete.

The only change made to the original specification was to repaint the car is a striking three-shades-of-grey livery instead of the original sober black finish. The red leather seats are piped in grey, matching the grey carpets and convertible hood, while the red leather door cards feature an Art Deco 'sunburst' motif. The polished wood interior veneer is particularly striking. The original HMV Radiomobile 100 radio has been converted to AM/FM operation, with speakers concealed in the doors, while the original hand-wound clock is still mounted on the lockable glove box door. By the time it was finished the restoration is said to have cost more than $400,000 (unfortunately there are no bills available). One of the best we have seen, the comprehensive history file contains a detailed account of the Bentley's history and restoration (inspection recommended).

Post-restoration this Mark VI was displayed in the Post-war Touring Class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance before entering several other events in California. Its honours include 'Best in Class' and 'Most Elegant Open Car' at Ironstone; 'Best in Class' and 'Best of Show' at Niello; and 'Best in Class' at Hillsborough. The related trophies are included in the sale.

Our vendor purchased the Bentley at a Monterey auction in 2018, and its concours career has continued during his ownership. Maintained with no expense spared and started regularly, this unique car remains in absolutely stunning condition today and is a delight to drive, being equally manageable around town and on the open road while turning appreciative heads wherever it goes. Offered with a UK V5 Registration document.