• Exhibited at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show
• Presented with a report by Bentley historian Dr Clare Hay, following an inspection in April 2011
• Retains its matching-numbers engine
• Thought to be the only surviving Bentley 6 ½-Litre with Sedanca de Ville coachwork
• Former owners include former President of the Bentley Drivers Club of Australia, Graeme Miller, and noted Bentley collector, Edward Carter
• Accompanied by an impressive history file featuring invoices from marque specialists including Elmdown and R.C. Moss

Chassis KR2687 was created by Bentley in collaboration with coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner of Chiswick, as a Sedanca de Ville. Presented at the Olympia Motor Show in October 1929, its coachwork has a very neat appearance, with unusually long and flowing wings exaggerating its powerful appearance, and a Barker-patented “de Ville extension” over the driver’s seat to give the appearance of a full limousine.

Featured in the “Show Number” issue of The Autocar on 25 October 1929, the car was sold at the motor show by W.O. Bentley’s brother, H.M. Bentley & Partners, to John Davie of Dartmore, Frithwood Avenue, Northwood.

Following an inspection in 2011 by noted Bentley authority, Dr Clare Hay, a report on file indicates that the car subsequently passed, in 1935, to Major RT Hon. F. Craven. It was laid up through World War II, and then, in 1952, was acquired, in notably original condition, by J.B. Sibly for ₤50. Displayed by Sibly in events of the Bentley Drivers Club until 1957, it subsequently passed through the stewardships of A.K. Harrison, J.N. Barlow, P.M. Mackie, V.A. Callcutt, A.M. Garrett, Sandra Roberts, and lastly, Graeme Miller. Then the President of the Bentley Drivers’ Club of Australia, Mr Miller recognised this as an extremely rare and unusually original vehicle, and maintained it for some 20 years with sparing use but good care, in order to protect it from becoming “just another Le Mans clone”.

While the car has been well maintained since the 1970s, only in the ownership of one of its most recent keepers was it returned to its period-correct appearance, including the treatment of handsome and tasteful colours that greatly flatter its lines. The interior includes a fitted drinks cabinet. Further restoration work was performed by the noted Bentley specialists R.C. Moss of Bedford, including a full proper repaint to the current green and black livery, refinishing the top material in correct Rexine, fitting a correct-patterned Smith’s multi-jet carburettor with correct piping and linkage, installation of a correct Bentley plate clutch, further to mechanical and cosmetic sorting.

So few of these cars have been carefully preserved and restored as they were when new; accordingly, this presents not only as a correct 6½-Litre, but also as one of the most proper of the handful of survivors. It is very much today as H.M. and W.O. Bentley knew it, and that fact alone makes this a worthy addition to any stable of the finest pre-war sporting motorcars.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ch24/.