Description
1951 Bentley Mallalieu Barchetta
Very rare, and finely maintained over the past years, this Bentley Tourer by Mallalieu Engineering, Ltd. of Oxfordshire, conveys all the charm and character of the finest British coachbuilt pre-war cars. They were impeccably conceived vehicles, offering vintage grand touring without vintage reliability headaches. Completely hand-built and constructed of 90% original Bentley Mark VI, the Bentley engine was rebuilt to Rolls-Royce standards. Work included Salisbury rear axle with vacuum servo hydraulic brakes and 4-seater coachworks with full wings and running boards to accommodate twin spare wheels.
This immaculate example, finished in Cornish Cream with Chocolate Brown leather upholstery and matching full weather protection with side screens, has covered only 19, 855 miles since rebuild, with most MOT's up until Covid to support this. The former engineer owner, has made numerous tasteful modifications, namely, wire wheels for wide tread T&C tyres, polished metal rear lamp housings, P100 headlamps, with handmade stone guards, aviation style dashboard switch panel, dummy drum brake covers for front discs, front fog lamps which, very unusually, also act as traffic indicators with front sidelights as repeaters, bespoke wing mirrors.
This actual car, MJH223, is believed to be the last one off the production line and accordingly was extensively featured in both Vol 1 & 2 of Ray Roberts Book of Bentley Specials (copies included in history file) and was also used personally by the Mallalieu family. (The first owner married Sybil Mallalieu) Here is an excellent opportunity to acquire an important low mileage Mallalieu of known provenance at a sensible price.
Comes with, RREC MkVl donor build sheets. Original Mallalieu sales brochures. Lots of ownership history, road tests along with past Mot’s & tax discs, road tools, full weather gear, large rear luggage trunk (to fit a set of golf clubs)
Car located in Lytham St Annes, Lancs, UK transport arranged at £1. 60 per loaded mile only. For more on this fascinating car call John on number above anytime.
(Note the last pic of hood in raised position is of another Mallalieue with identical hood)
Mallalieu History
During the 1970s, Mallalieu Engineering Ltd. built around fifty special-bodied cars based on the Bentley Mark VI or R-Type. Built to high standards for discerning clients, the Mallalieu Bentleys combined the well-engineered mechanicals of the Mark VI, with their own evocative bodies, which recalled the coachbuilt Derby Bentleys of the 1930s.
Founded by enthusiast and Bugatti owner/ driver of considerable renown, Derry Mallalieu, the Oxfordshire, UK company distinguished themselves by fabricating exceptionally crafted bodies of their own design from 1974-1981. Utilizing the venerable Bentley Mark VI platform, Mallalieu created carefully executed cars that were not simply rebodied, but were significantly re-engineered, with clever modifications to the chassis and driveline. Early cars were constructed first with ash-framed coachwork with hand formed aluminum panels, later adopting steel frames for robustness and other developments to reduce the 2, 400 hours build time.. During assembly, the Mark VI was completely dismantled and the chassis was lowered through a conversion to underslung configuration. The spring rates and damper settings for the coil and wishbone suspension were changed for the new chassis arrangement. The engine was moved back and lowered in the chassis, to create a more performance-oriented mid-bias weight distribution. The big feature however, was the handsome low-slung four-seat body design, which Mallalieu, named “Barchetta.” (means Small Boat in Italian)
Once the hand made body was mated to the chassis, a new low profile, high capacity radiator was fitted, and various assorted Bentley components were refitted throughout the car. Nearly all of the Mark VI’s mechanical parts were reconditioned and reassembled to original specifications. Each car was trimmed in leather and fine materials, specific to a customer’s special order. Finished cars sold for approximately the same price as a brand new Bentley or Rolls Royce, but each Mallalieu offered far more charm and individualist character. Beautifully designed and cleverly engineered, the lightweight Mallalieu benefited from the robust Bentley brakes (built for heavier cars), twin carbureted 4. 5 six-cylinder engine, and surprisingly light and responsive steering. The improved suspension and handling characteristics resulted in a balanced and well-mannered road car. Though each car was well made (taking six months to complete) and decidedly bespoke, the price (same as a new Silver Shadow) was too high to attract the volumes of buyers needed to sustain production. Sadly, Derry Mallalieu passed away in 1975, although the business continued to carry on through family interest. Varied accounts regarding the number of cars built range from 36-50 cars depending on how one counts the various vehicles that remained incomplete when the company dissolved. Today it is a rare sight indeed to find a Mallalieu on the UK highway.
