One of only 41 H.J. Mulliner 'Lightweight' aluminium-bodied Saloons produced between 1951 and 1953
Exhibited at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show
Single-family ownership from new until 2007, accompanied by a large history file
Body-off restoration with supporting invoices
Desirable Big Bore 4.5-litre straight-six engine with dual exhaust pipes
The Appeal
With only 41 examples built between 1951 and 1953, the H.J. Mulliner 'Lightweight' Sport Saloon is among the rarest and most significant post-war Bentleys. Clothed entirely in hand-formed aluminium by the world's oldest coachbuilder, these sleek four-door saloons were offered at a considerable premium over the Standard Steel Saloon and reserved for Bentley's most discerning clientele. Rarer even than the celebrated R-Type Continental, the 'Lightweight' is widely credited as the design that inspired John Blatchley's Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Series, and served as the four-door basis for the two-door Continental itself.
Our car, chassis B140MD, is the 23rd of the 41 produced and carries a provenance few can rival. It was exhibited at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show before being delivered to its first owner, Monsieur Ervin Piquerez of Bassecourt, Switzerland, founder of Ervin Piquerez S.A. and inventor of the super-compressor dive-resistant watch case. The car remained within the Piquerez family for over half a century until 2007, when it was repatriated to the UK and subjected to a three-year body-off restoration, documented with invoices.
Presented in its Tudor Grey over Shell Grey livery, with grey Vaumol leather and grey West of England cloth headlining, B140MD is powered by the later Big Bore 4.5-litre straight-six with dual exhaust pipes, offering a meaningful increase in performance over the earlier 4.25-litre unit. The vendor informs us that the car is ready for immediate extended use.
For those seeking one of the most historically significant yet still accessible coachbuilt Bentleys of the post-war era, this is a rare opportunity indeed.image.png1.93 MB
History and Paperwork
Right-hand drive, first registered in 1951
Exhibited at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show
First owner: Monsieur Ervin Piquerez of Bassecourt, Switzerland
Remained in the Piquerez family from new until 2007
Repatriated to the UK from Switzerland
Body-off restoration carried out over three years following repatriation, with invoices on file
Large history file accompanies the car
Speedometer reads in Km/h, showing 59,000 Km
~£8,000 reportedly spent under current ownership on exhaust, tyres, and servicing
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