1952 Bentley MK VI Saloon
This Bentley was purchased new in England by a Newport RI couple back in 52.
They kept it and drove it quite a bit throughout Europe and New England when they brought her home. The odometer reads 48014 and that is 148,001 miles. There is a notebook that records the history of the car from roughly 1992 (134,000 miles) through to 2004 (145,000). When the the original owners passed away the car went to their niece who lived in NJ. It is believed that she and her family kept the records in the notebook. They moved to Essex CT and in 2004 sold the car to it's current owner.
The grand daughter of the original owner found out that the car was still local and when she got married in Newport several years ago, she contacted the current owner and asked if there was anyway he could provide the car. He had one of his associates drive the car out there and the car was nearly as much a part of the wedding as the family as many saw it as her grand-dad being there for the wedding.
We know from the notebook that the car was painted it original Old English white in the mid 90's. We aren't sure if the engine was rebuilt in around the 130,000 mark based on some of the notes. The current owner has kept up with regular maintenance and driven it probably 3000 miles in the last 15 years, many of those as a wedding car.
The car starts right up and drives like a Bentley should. The central lubrication system is operational and the telltale signs of it are evident on the chassis.
It is a big bore 4.6L (or 4 1/2 litre) straight six, mated to a 4 speed, floor mounted shifter. An after market stereo and speakers have been installed but in a manner so as to not disturb the originality of the interior too much. The woodwork is in very good shape, although it does show some patina from it's nearly 70 years of use, as does the back seat, which could be brought back with some softener and dye. The front seats were both reupholstered in a blue vinyl, similar but not matching the original blue leather. The lights all work as do the semifors, however, the wiper only seems to work manually... unless I was operating the incorrect button. The heater has been hooked up to an alternate switch.
The paint is almost 30 years old and shows some signs of wear with some small cracks here and there (I'm guessing it is lacquer based on those cracks and when it was painted). The paint still shines brightly as does the chrome but that too shows some patina. The body is solid, not Bondo, no rot and only small bits of rust here and there. With only 5200 made between 46 and 52 and roughly 1000 of those being coach-built special orders, there won't be too many at even the local British car shows.
The six cylinder, with 150 HP, dual exhaust and the four speed give it a torquey feel and make this rather large saloon perform in what some might say a slightly sporty manner. Some period road tests showed 0-50MPH times of ten seconds and a top speed up around 100 mph.
This car can be driven and enjoyed exactly as she is or would be a very strong basis for a restoration if that's what lifts your boat.
She's a beauty and ready for her next wedding. Will you be her beau?
The family is asking $24,700 for her.
Any questions, for many more photos and video, to schedule a time to meet her, or make an offer on her dowry, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for the interest.
