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Bentley Mk VI – Freestone & Webb Six Light Saloon
Long established coachbuilder, Freestone & Webb of Willesden, North London created bespoke bodywork for 106 Mark VI Bentleys of which 18 were finished to their design reference 3046/ C.
Milestones sports saloon is chassis 12 of the 18 and was a special-order car delivered during June 1951 to the first owner, Lieutenant-Colonel N E Frieze of the European Wool Company at his home, Lanwades Stud, Newmarket. The stud was Nat Freeze’s passion in life and he enjoyed some success. Nat sold his beloved Bentley in 1969 to his friend Earnest Hamilton (Art Dealer) and she has had just 3 owners since.
Lt Colonel Frieze personal specification included:
· Wind down front seats to the base to provide more leg room for taller driver
· Manual quick release front windows
· Full length sunroof
· Picnic tables to the rear for race meetings &
· Electric windows to the rear
Today the Bentley is finished in the original stunning combination of Mason Black over Dark Olive Green with Gold coachline echoed in the green wheel rims. The car has never required a restoration and always been used sparingly, stored carefully and maintained to the highest standard.
Work in recent years has included (not exhaustive):
· 1998 – Full engine rebuild
· 2002 – Clutch
· 2004 – Brake overhaul
· 2004 – Radio conversion by The Vintage Wireless Company
· 2005 – Interior Trim – Armrests
· 2009 – Body Paint
· 2011 – Tyres – Vintage Tyres Ltd
· 2012 – Exhaust Manifold/ Oil Filter Kit/ Service (Richard Parsons)
· 2012 – Interior Trim – Rear Seats (New Forest Trim)
· 2013 – Paint & Coachline Wheels/ Re-chrome Hub Caps (Ashley Motors)
· 2015 – Front Brakes & Service (Richard Parsons)
· 2016 – Fabricate Exhaust System (Maniflow)
· 2018 – Dismantle Steering Column/ Repair Horn (Richard Parsons)
· 2018 – Service (A & S Engineering)
· 2019 – Clock/ Speedo overhaul (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Brakes – New Mater Cylinder/ Back Plate etc (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Front Wheel Bearings (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Front Brake Wheel Cylinders (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Ball Joints/ Pins/ Bushes etc (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Carburettor Overhaul (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Coil/ Ignition Components (A & E Engineering)
· 2019 – Avon Turbospeed Tyres/ Tubes (A & E Engineering)
· 2020 – Brake Overhaul – Rear (A & E Engineering)
· 2020 – Radiator Re-cored/ Top tank fabricated (A & E Engineering)
· 2020 – Repair/ Paint to Doors/ Re-chrome trim (West Hoathly Garage)
· 2020 – Repairs to Front Scuttle (West Hoathly Garage)
· 2020 – Re-chrome Rear Bumper (West Hoathly Garage)
· 2020 – Fuel Pumps – Overhauled/ Repaired
· 2020 – Service (West Hoathly Garage)
Total expenditure since 2013 is in excess of £50k
The Bentley is a superb driving car that delivers comfort and performance in equal measure. Stepping into the front (or rear) of the car is like going back in time – it looks right, feels right, smells right. The right-hand floor gear change is evocative of the pre-war Bentley racers and is super smooth and steering surprisingly light.
I drove the Bentley back from Oxfordshire and was genuinely surprised at how supremely capable this car is – cruising down the outside lane of the M40 at 70MPH with the biggest grin or simply waving back at people in Guildford, this was a drive that I will always smile about.
A road trip down to Classic Le Mans, holiday in Jersey or simply a race meeting at Goodwood with a bottle of champagne in memory of her earlier incarnation with Lt Colonel Frieze this car is ready to use and enjoy. I love her……
