"DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS LOT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTION
The Mk. VI four-door standard steel sports saloon was the first post-war luxury car from Bentley. Announced in May 1946 and produced from 1946 to 1952, it was also the first car from Rolls-Royce with all-steel coachwork and the first complete car assembled and finished at their factory. These very expensive cars were a genuine success. These models had a shorter wheelbase chassis and the engine was a variant of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith of 1946 and, with the same standard steel body, became the cautiously introduced Silver Dawn of 1949. In 1952, both Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley Mk. VI standard steel bodies were modified to incorporate a boot of about twice the size and the result became known as the R-Type Bentley. Mk. VI engines and chassis were modified to provide higher performance and sold to be bodied by selected coachbuilders as the first Bentley Continentals.This nice example was purchased in 2013 by the present owner from an ex-Army Captain who was stationed in Austin, Texas USA. The gentleman had used this car as his everyday runabout to and from his place of work! He had even taken the car on a great trip from Texas to New York, apparently not breaking down once! The car had been in the USA (Texas) for just over 30 years before returning to the UK, hence the lack of rust. The car has been well maintained since with £10,000 being spent over the last five years by the present owner including the fitting of a new fuel tank. It is presented in dark green/beige with dark maroon leather interior. It is fitted with a sunroof and the door cappings and all woodwork are in good condition throughout, as is the headlining and carpets. A great British classic, which exudes class and elegance."