Eric Minoff
Vice President, Senior Specialist, Director of LA
1949 Bentley MkVI Special Super Sport Saloon Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner Chassis no. B399BZ Engine no. B449D
Sold for US$32,480 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 185
1949 Bentley MkVI Special Super Sport Saloon
1949 Bentley MkVI Special Super Sport Saloon
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. B399BZ
Engine no. B449D
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. B399BZ
Engine no. B449D
4,257cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Twin-Choke Carburetor
Approximately 130bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Striking coachbuilt Bentley
* One of only 5 cars built
* Multiple RROC award winner
* Bold, "New Look" styling
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Although the Bentley Mark VI's 'standard steel' saloon body accounted for the bulk of production, customers could still opt for a coachbuilt alternative such as the H.J. Mulliner-bodied 'New Look' Super Sports Saloon example offered here. The unique, forward looking design was a slab-sided stylistic break from the otherwise bulging fenders still prevalent on most everything else leaving the factory works at that time. Crisply rendered in aluminum, the bodywork is described on the factory build records as 'Special Super Sports Saloon' with specific mention of its weight savings—only five cars total were bodied as such. Purchased by W.B.G. Henderson, Esq. through The Clyde Automobile Co. Ltd of Renfrew Street in Glasgow, Scotland, the Bentley was completed in the early part of 1949. The original color scheme was not recorded in the records.
The Saloon would remain in Scotland with W.B. MacKay of Aberdeen before eventually heading to the wide open expanses of Dallas, Texas in 1972, joining the collection of Lejeune Wilson. A member of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club at the time, Mr. Wilson brought the MkVI to the RROC Texas Region's Spring Meet in 1974 and was delighted to bring home the award for 'Best MkVI'. Laid up shortly thereafter, the Bentley spent the next score of years in relative slumber, entering reported six year restoration.
Completed in 2004, the restored Bentley was shown three decades hence at another RROC Texas Region Spring Meet where it did not disappoint, winning 'Most Exotic Car'. Today, the nearly 20-year-old restoration has held up well. Showing nice, it is complete with its aforementioned build records, UK Buff Logbook, original owner's manual, 1972 Bill of Sale, copies of notes on the restorations, and various photos and news clippings from throughout its history. Sure to please at shows and tours, it's a bold looking machine that is ready for its next adventure.
Single Twin-Choke Carburetor
Approximately 130bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Striking coachbuilt Bentley
* One of only 5 cars built
* Multiple RROC award winner
* Bold, "New Look" styling
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Although the Bentley Mark VI's 'standard steel' saloon body accounted for the bulk of production, customers could still opt for a coachbuilt alternative such as the H.J. Mulliner-bodied 'New Look' Super Sports Saloon example offered here. The unique, forward looking design was a slab-sided stylistic break from the otherwise bulging fenders still prevalent on most everything else leaving the factory works at that time. Crisply rendered in aluminum, the bodywork is described on the factory build records as 'Special Super Sports Saloon' with specific mention of its weight savings—only five cars total were bodied as such. Purchased by W.B.G. Henderson, Esq. through The Clyde Automobile Co. Ltd of Renfrew Street in Glasgow, Scotland, the Bentley was completed in the early part of 1949. The original color scheme was not recorded in the records.
The Saloon would remain in Scotland with W.B. MacKay of Aberdeen before eventually heading to the wide open expanses of Dallas, Texas in 1972, joining the collection of Lejeune Wilson. A member of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club at the time, Mr. Wilson brought the MkVI to the RROC Texas Region's Spring Meet in 1974 and was delighted to bring home the award for 'Best MkVI'. Laid up shortly thereafter, the Bentley spent the next score of years in relative slumber, entering reported six year restoration.
Completed in 2004, the restored Bentley was shown three decades hence at another RROC Texas Region Spring Meet where it did not disappoint, winning 'Most Exotic Car'. Today, the nearly 20-year-old restoration has held up well. Showing nice, it is complete with its aforementioned build records, UK Buff Logbook, original owner's manual, 1972 Bill of Sale, copies of notes on the restorations, and various photos and news clippings from throughout its history. Sure to please at shows and tours, it's a bold looking machine that is ready for its next adventure.
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