Description
1950 BENTLEY MARK VI SIX LIGHT SALOON BY FREESTONE AND WEBB
Chassis Number: B143FU
Registration Number: GRY 560
Recorded Mileage: 47, 880 miles
- One of c. 10 surviving examples
- Subject to £40, 000+ of restoration works in current ownership
- In current ownership since 2016
Launched as a prototype in 1939 but in reality Bentley’s first post-war effort, the new Mark VI of 1946 was Rolls-Royce and Bentley’s first new model produced at the new Crewe works.
A success upon launch, the new Mark VI had a shorter wheelbase chassis fitted with a variant of the engine fitted to Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith of the same year (which from1949 became the Silver Dawn). The MkVl used the same B60 4. 3-litre (4257cc) F-head straight-six engine as the pre-war MkV. In 1951, a 4. 6-litre (4566cc) engine was added to the range. Despite their actual capacities, the engines were referred to in true Bentley style as 4 ¼ and 4 ½ litres respectively. A four-speed synchromesh manual transmission was fitted with the floor-mounted gear stick sitting to the right of the driver. After Ian Fleming’s “007”, James Bond, destroyed his Bentley 4 1?2 Litre in a chase with the arch villain Drax in Moonraker, he used his gambling winnings to buy a Bentley Mark VI. In 1952 both models were modified to incorporate a larger luggage compartment, producing the new R-Type Bentley. As was tradition, rolling chassis were supplied to Mulliner, Freestone and Webb, James Young and Park Ward to accommodate more exclusive coupé, sporting and saloon bodies.
‘GRY 560’ was despatched from the Crewe works in January 1950 destined for coachbuilders Freestone & Webb. Its rolling chassis was fitted with six light coachwork in aluminium (design 3406), and delivered to its first owner, Mr. F. R. Gilbert of Leicester, in April of the same year. The Bentley changed hands in 1957, by the mid 1960s finding its way to Bexhill on the South Coast of England. In 1970, as part of a deal with legendary dealer Brian Classick, also involving a vintage Alfa-Romeo, a Lagonda and a Bristol, the Bentley found its way into the ownership of a Dr. Deahaye of Olympia, Washington State, in the United States. At some point the interior was retrimmed in imitation leopard skin, thankfully later replaced by a more fitting tan leather covering.
By the mid-1980s a British enthusiast had discovered the Mark VI in the United States, and in late 1988 repatriated the car to the UK. He kept the Mark VI until 2016, at which point ownership passed to our current vendor. A devoted enthusiast, having owned and restored various Bentleys built from the 1920s to the 1960s, our vendor embarked on a comprehensive restoration of the Mark VI, supported by a thick history file of various bills and receipts totalling over £40, 000.
The Mark VI presents very nicely in two tone blue cellulose with a corresponding retrimmed light grey interior, and both starts and runs on the button. Since completion the Bentley has been lightly driven and dry stored in a warm garage when not in use. The detailed history file contains a copy of the original build sheet, service manual, previous bills and older photographs, advertisements, correspondence and shipping documents, current V5C, older MoT certificates, and photographs of the recent restoration. A nicely presented example, this stylish Bentley has enjoyed a charmed life since its restoration, and is ready to be enjoyed once more.
This motor vehicle will be sold at auction with Dore & Rees in Frome, Somerset, on Saturday 17th June 2023. For more details contact the Motoring Department via the above details.
