Lot Ended
Description
On offer from a Special Cotswold Collection; smart
and usable MkVI with an interesting history file; joined the collection in
2017 and only lightly used since
Bentley’s first
factory-bodied car, the handsome MkVI made its debut in May 1946 with all-steel
coachwork made by Pressed Steel of Coventry and final assembly by the
craftsmen at the Crewe factory. Powered by a silky smooth 4,257cc straight-six
engine mated to a manual four-speed gearbox, it was capable of whipping around
four passengers in supreme comfort and style. Enjoying considerable success both
at home and abroad, it was replaced by the largely similar R-Type in 1952 by
which time 5,200 had been sold.
This
impressive MkVI was purchased new in September 1947 by Mrs Auriol Harrison of
Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, the original purchase invoice showing that it cost her
the princely sum of £3,317 – a huge amount when you consider that the average
house price in England at the time was just £1,500.
Mrs Harrison kept the Bentley until 1958 and used it regularly, being
known to tow her caravan behind it as she travelled through the UK and Europe.
Which is perhaps why it went back to Crewe to have a new engine fitted in 1959,
as documented in an invoice on file!
The car
went back to Crewe again in 1962 to be smartened up, an invoice showing that
this included repairs to the bodywork followed by a full repaint plus a new
exhaust system among other minor bits of fettling.
Originally registered as JDE 200, it became 627 BCA in 1964, a
transferable number which remains on the car to this day. The history file
records details of all the owners to date, our vendor acquiring the car in
February 2017. Kept as part of a large collection, the car has seen very little
use in recent years, the MOT history online showing that it has only covered
around 200 miles since 2008.
Coming with a large
history file full of fascinating pieces of information from its past life, it
also has various handbooks, old MOTs, invoices and buff logbooks. An invoice
shows that our vendor sent it to Cotswold Classic Car Restorations in February
2021 where it received a carburettor rebuild, fuel pump rebuild and a new
condenser unit.
Finished in attractive dark blue
with light blue side panels and a nicely mellowed cream hide interior, this
fine-looking Bentley has been starting promptly and running well as we have
moved it around on site.
For more
information contact: [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT