1951 BENTLEY Mk VI SALOON – MANUAL – 73,037 MILES SHOWING
Presenting in beautiful Mahogany Red with Beige Connolly hide interior trim.
Coach built body by James Young Coach Builders of London Road Bromley UK.
We hold what looks like the original hand book for this lovely car together with a large folder which contains workshop manual details.
Powered by a 4.25 Litre 6 cylinder engine which produced when new 98Kw and 278Nm of power and torque, matched to a four speed manual gearbox, gear shift interestingly just to the right of the driver’s seat. Top speed was rated at a tad over 100mph (165kph).
This information is interesting from Wikipedia regarding it’s original power:-
“The Mark VI 4+1⁄4-litre used an F-head straight-6 engine 4.3 L (4,257 cc/259 cu in) in size.
The manufacturer refused to disclose a horse power value for the car (other than Tax Horsepower of 29.4 hp according to the old RAC formula) but an Autocar Magazine road test reproduced in 1950 reported that top gear provided “flexibility down to 6 mph (10 km/h)” and the ability to “climb a hill of 1 in 9 maximum gradient, complicated by bends, all of which supported the manufacturer’s contention that power, along with low speed torque, were adequate.”
The current owner has supplied the following information on his car:-
BENTLEY MARK VI
BRIEF SUMMARY OF WORK DONE ON BENTLEY B14LJ
CHASSIS – Stripped, Blasted and enamelled
SUSPENSION/STEERING – New bronze bushes and ball joints rear spring, dismantled and dressed, new shackle pins and o-rings fitted as required, fitted new rubber seating blocks.
BRAKES – Wheel cylinders and master cylinder re-sleeved in stainless steel or suitable bonze, servo checked.
EXHAUST SYSTEM – All pipes replaced with stainless steel, new muffler (non-standard as R-R type unavailable), insulated and sheathed. Rear muffler made in stainless steel to original R-R specifications (I made one for the Silver Wraith also). Muffler comprises concentric inner tubes with one hundred ¼ inch holes drilled in opposite surfaces of the tubes. New hangers and electric copper bonding straps fitted.
ENGINE – Was overhauled in SA prior to purchase. I stripped it for check. Had new main bearings, big end and gudgeon pins and bushes, crankshaft regrind. Rest looked OK.
Reassembled engine and when finally driven it smoked unsatisfactorily so I removed engine, stripped block and had it re-sleeved, fitted new R-R pistons & rings, bottom end OK – components as new. Fitted new valve guides to head and Block, renewed exhaust springs, engine completed and re-fitted to car and performed very well.
Carburettors overhauled – water pump serviced (new parts).
All electrics including starter motor, generator, fuel pumps and distributor, all completely overhauled by Lucas Auto Electric.
GEAR BOX – Not stripped. Checked and recharged with mineral oil. Runs well and smooth.
CLUTCH – New lining and thrust bearing fitted.
BODY – Completely stripped, extensive repairs. Fitted new vertical “kick plate” where ‘James Young etc’ name plates are mounted but I modified them to include the noise/dust exclusion recess at the bottom. (sketch on the original summary) Made new overriders, new centre piece to both parts and rear bumpers. New front and rear windscreens. In boot fitted new tool box section and new part floor.
Chrome strips along side of bonnet and the bottom strips at the lower doors I made from solid brass section and hand shaped and fitted with suitable studs.
INTERIOR – All leather genuine Connolly hide ex UK. Hood lining West of Eng. Cloth ex UK through USA. All door trims I made with marine grade ply with pockets as per original brochure, arm rests completely new and identical to original. NOTE: The trim fixing made to original but plated to avoid rusting. (sketch for fixing and removal is on the original summary) At the upper end of the door trim panel the leather is tacked or stapled to the door frame as seen when the polished timber rail is removed.
RADIO – Original – Overhauled by an experienced rare valve radio expert – since unfortunately passed away. It runs OK, nice sound, takes a few minutes to heat up.
PAINT – BODY: As used by Matt Smith. Wattyl-Spartan Advance Acrylic Lacquer. Super-Cryl- Series III.
Colour: Mahogany Red No.IF099.
Formula: 145 – 329 parts, 139 – 436 parts, 132 – 466 parts, 103 – 420 parts.
TIMBER: “Miroflex” Polyurethane 2-pack lacquer.
ENGINE: Engine compartment, inner and outer Wattyl-Spartan Super Velox enamel.
NOTE: The Super-Velox was also used on my sons Silver Wraith about 20 years ago and is still in very good condition.
This gorgeous Bentley would make a perfect early classic car to enjoy on car runs, events and show and shines.
Currently Historically registered in SA, this it not transferable, however it would be eligible for similar schemes in other jurisdictions, which equates to minimal on road costs.
Available to admire on our state of the art showroom floor in Adelaide.
We can arrange transport door to door Australia wide. more
