1952 Bentley MkVI Standard Steel Saloon
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Highlights
- Stunning, comprehensive restoration
- Vastly upgraded performance
- Rich and extensive history file
- The best colour available, Tudor Grey
- Electric Power Steering fitted
The Appeal
The first post-war luxury car to be produced from Bentley, as well as the first car from Rolls-Royce with all-steel coachwork and the first complete car assembled and finished at their factory. These opulent and expensive cars were a genuine long-term success.
This outstanding example has been subject to a very extensive restoration, with an ambitious goal to enhance the entire driving experience of the vehicle without straying off the feel and tradition of the Bentley marque. Fitted with a late-model R Type Continental rear differential, receiving power from a fully rebuilt 4.9-litre S1 engine, this is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing with enough power to press you back into the luxurious seats. The innocent and high-class looks may be disarming, but the performance should be treated with the utmost respect!
The History and Paperwork
- Originally ordered from Jack Barclay for a JWS Uttley, delivery promised for the 16th of January 1952
- For an unknown reason, JWS Uttley never received it - presumably because the order had been cancelled
- At the time of ordering, such orders were subject to a type of purchase licence to prove that you required the vehicle, this arrangement would be revoked in January of 1953
- Eventually the order reference for the vehicle changes, and the car is sold by PJ Evans in Birmingham to its first owner Henry Garlick on the 8th of May 1952 with the registration mark MAC 651
- Purchase price on the delivery note is marked as a total of £5,009, as well as a £3/15.9 charge for 18g petrol
- In 1961, the vehicle passes over to Austin Garlick, the first owners son
- In 1969 the vehicle is sold on to a man in Leamington Spa, who unfortunately passed in 2001 leaving the car to his son, also in Warwickshire
- The car is then sold to make space in the garage for a games room
- The next custodian undertakes a complete restoration of the vehicle, with a twist, including upgrading the vehicles engine and running gear
- Extensive images are present of the vehicles restoration process, including photos of the bare metal chassis and the engine out of the vehicle
- Plethora of paperwork and invoices from various specialist suppliers and garages, most with eye-watering totals
- Original vehicle registration book, showing the changes of ownership
- Bentley Drivers Club reviews from both 2007 and 2014
- Tax discs available from 2005 up until 2015
- V5C present and correct, ready for transfer of ownership
- Registered as a historic vehicle, it is MOT and tax exempt, last MOT’d in 2012 with a clean pass
- Bentley Drivers Club Concours d’Elegance Patina Class Winner in 2017
The Interior
- Beautifully restored woodwork
- Original upholstery excellently preserved
- Lovely brightwork throughout
- Original toolkit present
- New Connolly leather, Wilton Carpets and headlining
In typical Bentley fashion, the interior is an astounding place to be, filled with luxurious materials everywhere your touch lands, providing for one of the best tactile experiences you can get in any automobile. Gentle restoration work undertaken to preserve much of the originality, provides for very gently patinated upholstery with stunningly presented woodwork paired with dazzling brightwork.
Starting by stepping into the driver seat of the opulent saloon, both front seats present themselves in excellent shape with only gentle telltale signs of use such as creasing in the leather. No damage can be seen anywhere, and all of the stitching and piping remains in wonderful condition - sitting in these is akin to sinking into your favourite armchair. Straight ahead, the original steering wheel is present and shows some gentle patina with some small cracks at the end of the spokes where they join on to the outer rim along with some other minor marks, and the central controls on the wheel are all reported to remain operational.
The wooden dashboard is in stunning condition thanks to a complete re-lacquering from Richard James Upholstery in 2012 costing £1795 as part of a £3,078 invoice. Within this invoice there was also an installation of new headlining in West of England wool cloth, replacing the radio aerial and seal, replacing sunroof seals, restoration of the radio itself as well as restoring the operation of the rear blind and fixing numerous wiring faults. Taking all this into account, the headlining presents itself perfectly to this day and the radio looks as good as new! All of the switchgear remains functional as do the gauges mounted in the centre of the dash, looking as handsome as they did back in the 50’s.
All four door cards are very well presented, again with excellent refurbished woodwork along the tops of the doors and some dashing brightwork on the handles. The leatherwork all looks to remain in handsome shape with gentle signs of use. In the rear of the lovely saloon, the bench seat is in great condition, with very light signs of use on the leather with no damage to be seen. Both ashtrays on the outer arm rests remain excellent, too, it’s all in the details! Just above the rear seats on the rear pillars, the vanity mirrors remain excellent as does all of the woodwork trim. The rear tables mounted in the back of the front seats also appear excellent, with lovely brightwork on the hinges and handles and a very well maintained finish on the wood.
The interior of this Bentley really is an outstanding place to be. Preserved in wonderful condition with some masterfully refurbished woodwork, the true feel of a MkVI remains inside this opulent cabin. Some very gentle signs of age are extremely welcome, reminding you the car does indeed have a rich and caring history as it passed through families.
The Exterior
- Beautiful and desirable Tudor Grey paintwork
- Excellent brightwork
- Underside in outstanding condition
- Corrosion-free example
As lovely as the interior is, standing outside the MkVI might be the best thing about it, being able to stare and take in that 50’s beauty that unfortunately no longer exists among the industry. This example has been through extensive exterior restoration, including a complete bare-metal respray in the OEM colour as well as tedious attention to detail when it comes to the things that we can’t see, like the chassis and everything hiding under the coachwork. Every nut and bolt re-died or re-tapped.
At the front of the Bentley, paintwork remains in admirable condition with no signs of any damage, with all of the headlamps in great shape. The grill appears excellent with straight and well finished fins, with handsome brightwork surrounding to match that of the headlamp trim, wing mirrors and the front bumper bar.
Moving around to the side, everything remains to be in excellent condition, with straight and true body panels with well maintained paintwork, and panel gaps that appear to be of factory fitment. All four arches are free from any corrosion and the swooping panel work is as lovely as ever. All four wheels are very well kept, with good paintwork on both the outer rim and the grey hubcap with lovely double coach lines in red and white.
To the rear of the saloon much of the story remains the same, with great paint and bodywork, lovely brightwork presented on the rear bumper and all tail lights remaining in good condition reportedly being completely operational.
Underneath the car, it’s just as clean as the rest of it thanks to some thorough work undertaken during the restoration, having the chassis completely cleaned and prepared to be resprayed by hand using several coats of paint for ensured longevity, it remains just as good today as it would have looked when it rolled out of the factory in 1952.
The Mechanics
- 4.9-litre inline 6 cylinder engine from a Bentley S1
- Fully rebuilt late-model R Type differential
- Rear-wheel drive configuration
- Manual transmission
- Electric Power Steering
With the goal of the restoration to enhance the driving experience as much as possible, it was almost inevitable that the engine and running gear would have to be swapped out from the standard equipment to something a little more up to the task.
Firstly, the brakes would be entirely overhauled - with the goal of producing more power, meaning safety comes first. What’s the point of going fast if you can’t slow down? A completely rebuilt master cylinder with a new brass cylinder was made up and new pipes fitted from the master to the front brakes, ensuring that stopping power remained as good as can be without taking away too much of the originality of the vehicle. Rear brake actuators and equalisers completely overhauled, along with replacement rear wheel bearings including the bearing retaining collars.
Along with this, a fully rebuilt 3.42:1 late-model R Type Continental rear differential was fitted, which would allow for staggering acceleration. Rear springs were dismantled, stripped back to bare metal and nickel plated, and were wrapped in Denso tape before reinstalling to the vehicle. The entire steering mechanism was rebuilt, too!
A 4.9-litre S1 engine was sourced and completely professionally overhauled. The engine was dismantled, and the waterways flushed and cleaned, showcasing the engine in very good condition from the get go. The head was taken off the engine and scrapped due to overheating, so a second-hand unit was sourced from Montagues. With the engine out, the block was delivered to Neville Pearson to completely recondition, re-ringing pistons and replace small end bearings, and FJ Payne hardened exhaust valves fitted with new exhaust valve guides. Once mechanically finished, everything was stove enamelled.
Furthermore, electric power steering was fitted to enhance the driving experience even further. The list of mechanical fettling seems endless with this example, but it makes for one astoundingly well built vehicle that would give any modern car a serious run for its money. With the 3.42:1 differential, the official Bentley handbook must be ignored - first gear must be used delicately for the first few feet, then second gear can be engaged.
The unsuspecting performance this vehicle exudes should be respected by any pilot behind the wheel, it truly is a quick thing to be ferried around in!
Summary
Not only is this Bentley a pleasure to look at, it’s also an absolute thrill to drive. With as much performance as it has opulence, this makes for one incredible conversation piece, and arguably an even better collection addition. Countless pennies and hours spent, it remains a stunning example inside and out - this is one that shouldn’t be missed!
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1952
- Make Bentley
- Model Mark VI
- Colour Grey
- Odometer 81,315 Miles
- Engine size 4566
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Location London
- Country United Kingdom
41
bids
- Ry•••• £38,000 09/10/23
- Ry•••• £37,750 09/10/23
- kl•••• £37,500 09/10/23
- Ry•••• £37,250 09/10/23
- kl•••• £37,000 09/10/23
- Ry•••• £36,750 09/10/23
- kl•••• £36,500 09/10/23
- Ry•••• £36,250 09/10/23
- kl•••• £36,000 09/10/23
- Ry•••• £35,750 09/10/23
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