1951' Bentley Mark VI Mk Vi Special

LXX 981
BENTLEY MK6 SPECIAL
1951/2002

This car has had three bodies, on chassis B35KL, the original 1951 saloon, a sparse sports body by Halse, (See Bentley Specials & Special Bentleys - 1st edition by Ray Roberts p250 with engine B117K; then a sporty 2-seater by Lawrence (see BS&SB 2nd edition p255); and finally the coach built body it wears today with engine B103K.

Made into one of the first specials by Syd Lawrece it went to Beverley Hills, California, USA for many years before returning to the UK in 1999 with John Donner a famous RR collector.

He stripped it, sending the chassis to Healy Brothers, Northamptonshire the well know Bentley specialists, for a complete rebuild including the engine, gearbox and rear axle. It was converted to splined knock-off Derby 18 inch wheels supplied by Bob Peterson.

Nostalgia Cars of Honiton, Devon then constructed an all-aluminium coach built body of exceptional beauty.

Donner died before the work was completed and the family had the car finished and sold to the Earl of March’s cousin who did about 1,500 miles in 10 years.

The next owner had it repainted in BRG, overhauled the brakes which are outstanding and did much else, fitting the rare 1930’s Marchal bulls-eye headlights and matching sidelights.

The current owner had the car refreshed by Hillier Hill and had a rev counter fitted, as well as a new tonneau and hood in black double duck.

That car won the BDC Patina Concourse in 2012.