• H.J. Mulliner designed, first displayed as the 1929 Olympia Motor Show Car
• Continuous history of custodians who prized originality including 20 years with The President of the Bentley Drivers’ Club of Australia 
• Extensive history file full of invoices from marque specialists Elmdown and RC Moss
• One of the most original surviving 6 1/2 Litre Bentleys with all major components clearly stamped by the factory as shown in the accompanying Clare Hay report

A unique and important Bentley 6.5L with original exhibition quality coachwork by H.J. Mulliner, displayed at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show – the sole survivor of its type, and worthy of the most discerning collections.

Dispatched to H.J. Mulliner on 13 August 1929, she was completed as one of the Chiswick coachbuilder’s two exhibits at the prestigious motor show. Handsome Sedanca coachwork featured an innovative Barker patent de Ville retractable roof over the driver’s compartment. Period reports in Autocar and The Motor showed photographs noting the patent roof and flowing wings of this “limousine de ville.”

After final test, chassis KR2687 was retailed by H.M. Bentley & Partners (the firm of W.O.’s brother) to first owner John Davie, of Northwood, London, and registered GK 3664 as retained today. Kept until mid-1935, she passed to Major the Hon. F. Craven, at a fashionable Upper Grosvenor Street address in London, and was likely laid up for the war.

According to Bentley historian Dr Clare Hay, only 20 Standard Six Bentleys survive with original coachwork, this being the sole surviving Sedanca. As noted in the accompanying Hay report, major components are stamped with matching numbers, with the gearbox number out of sight but also believed original. And while the Sedanca arrangement was once a status signifier, later owners loved the flexibility for top-down motoring combined with passenger comfort in all weathers, undertaking many remarkable tours. As one owner remarked, “Now that I have a tourer as well, I’ve come to realise that in many ways, the Sedanca offers us much more. And it is so truly different.”

For example, BDC member Vin Callcut (who owned her from 1962-1972, a world expert on copper alloys and a noted collector of brass and copper) undertook a major continental run through Germany and Switzerland in 1966, setting a lap record for 6.5L Sedancas at the Nürburgring, enjoying the hospitality of admirers, and apparently making a serious study of local sausages. In another tribute to the refined Bentley chassis, after a BDC pub meeting and a 20-mile run home, an empty pint glass was found on a running board undisturbed!

From 1974 she was acquired by Adrian M. Garrett via Dan Margulies (Fiskens forerunner in the Mews) and restored to a high standard, winning first prize at the BDC Queens Silver Jubilee national rally at Oulton Park. Shipped “down under”, she enjoyed a twenty ownership with Graeme Miller, President of the BDC of Australia. Later acquired by Syd and Nicky Reinhardt, she enjoyed many Australian and European tours including a 4,500 km tour of France in 2006. She was shown at Pebble Beach in 2009, and even exhibited in the Bentley Motors museum in Crewe for several years. 

Presented in outstanding order, GK 3664 has benefitted from a substantial programme of works by marque specialists Elmdown Engineering and RC Moss with related invoices on file. Notably this included an engine rebuild and other mechanical works by Elmdown from 2007-2008. More extensive restoration under the ownership of Edward Carter was undertaken by R.C. Moss from 2014-2016, including a full repaint to the green and black livery seen today. 

With enclosed examples with original coachwork increasingly prized at international concours and by discerning collectors, this Bentley 6.5 Sedanca is worthy to join an outstanding collection. Certain to be welcome at the very best events, and to give miles of Bentley pleasure (roof up or down) on the open roads.