Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1

Thursday 4th December 2008

Announced in May 1946, the Bentley Mark VI featured a strong channel section chassis with independent wishbone/coil spring front suspension and a live, leaf-sprung rear axle. Drum brakes were fitted all-round, with Rolls-Royce‘s mechanical servo assistance, the front ones for the first time on a Bentley being operated hydraulically. Power was provided by the pre-war B60 4,257cc six cylinder engine - with overhead inlet/side exhaust valves and belt rather than gear-driven dynamo and water pump, both major changes from previous Rolls-Royce practice - sufficient to propel the Bentley, via twin SU carburettors, to 90mph. Notably, some prototype tests of the Mark VI were conducted during the war by Cabinet ministers and military officers. The only major mechanical change came in May 1951 when engine capacity was increased to 4,56