1951 Bentley Mark VI Mark VI

1951 Bentley Mark VI49k Original Miles1 of 1 DesignBuilt for Brig. Maurice Denham Jephson(A famous Great Britain General)So this vehicle has a 3 part story that is all very interesting.  First, lets start off by saying, these cars were built to a standard that no car manufacturer could ever match.  The finest materials were used because the people that ordered them were not pinching pennies.  They came in two parts, first being the chassis.  The chassis was built by Bentley and was chassis B279LH and has the matching engine B339L.  It was then sent to H.J. Mulliner where Brig. Jephson ordered the car in his own unique design.  As the story goes, Brig. Jephson ordered the car to be built in 1951.  When he contracted H.J. Mulliner to design the cars he showed them a drawing or a design where the front fenders would swoop low but not complete until the rear fender started.  He wanted a continuous design and style.  There were slight changes to the trunk area and back window as well.  This would make this car a 1 off design but through research, the buyer(customer) could make these changes before production starts.  I would imagine there are more 1 off designs and if any insight can be provided, please send me a message.  Just a background on Jephson, was he lived in Mallow Castle where his family built a mansion on the grounds of the Mallow Castle that was badly damaged by a fire during the Williamite War .  He also wrote a book 'An Anglo-Irish Miscellany' on his prominent family history. Unfortunately Brig. Jephson and his wife Eileen were killed in the March 24th, 1968 plane crash during the Aer Lingus Flight off the coast of Ireland.  It is unclear in my research if the Bentley was inherited by his son, or sold prior to his death.  But either way this 1951 Bentley has a unique heritage and legacy to be connected to royalty.  There was a second owner to the 51 Bentley but my research leads me to no specific name.  It could have been Jephson's son.  However, as time continued it wasn't until March 1974, where this Bentley will see new ownership and a whole new lease on life, but not in England, in the United States.  Below is the story of that transaction. In the early years of the 1970's, a muffler/exhaust tycoon in the state of NJ(who is still alive and I spoke to)  told his kids on Thanksgiving day that him and his mother are going to England to purchase a "Christmas Gift for Daddy."  When he arrived in England he purchased a Hemmings Motor News book and started his search for either a Rolls Royce or a Bentley.  After looking at the first car and it being not quite what he wanted, he was lead by word of mouth and referrals to go see HK Sibley.  Harry Sibley owned a high end collector car showroom which housed this  1951 Bentley offered here today.  At the time, Harry had the outside of the Bentley repainted and freshened up before it was to sit for sale in the showroom.  Joe, the muffler guy, was excited and learned all about the car which helped me write this information shared in this ad.  He was looking at the car and was ready to strike a deal on the Bentley but couldn't keep his eyes off this Jaguar parked next to the Bentley painted a beautiful burgundy wine color.  So Joe said, if you paint the inserts on the sides of the Bentley the same color as that Jaguar and leave the dove grey the same, we had a deal.   In March of 1974 this Bentley was delivered to the United States.   For decades the owner took the car to shows, cruise nights and parades.  Because he was in the business for auto repair the car was always maintained and serviced.  This car sat in the his collection until he finally decided to thin the heard and retire.  His kids, although had interest in the car, didn't have the time to take care of the car if passed down.  All along throughout his ownership he befriended a guy by the name of Richard, who owned a beautiful Packard.  But this Packard he would lease out for Weddings, Proms and Special Occasions.  According to Joe, Richard would ask him periodically to borrow the Bentley whenever the Packard was down.  Joe loved this because Richard would always change the oil and wash and wax the vehicle when he returned the car.  Richard eventually purchased the car from Joe and had cared for it up until last year, when he couldn't drive anymore, nor he wasn't able to get around as he once could being ill and in his 80's.  So all and all, this Bentley has a great pedigree and has always been well maintained and cared for.  It, practically its whole life, remained inside out of the elements and as you'll see its condition solidifies that!  Onward to the car's condition: (any insight and/or research my viewers can supply would absolutely be encouraged and appreciated)Exterior:As you can see from the photos this car presents itself very well for a 70 year old vehicle.  From my research the aluminum body only has 1 repaint(done in England prior to shipping to US) that was done before 1974 and still holds up today.  The burgundy wine side inserts are from a color that Jaguar made and was painted before the car was shipped to the US.  The paint still carries luster but does show some signs of aging. Thin on some corners and checks and blemishes in other areas.  One of the hubcaps is dented as you'll see in the photos.  The front left fender has an indentation on the lower part as you can also see in the photos.  There is a tiny chip in the front windshield as well.  The chrome is in excellent condition and some of the badging emblems look to have been replaced as well.  You'll also see in the photos where the rear fender skirts attach is some oxidation and corrosion.  Underneath the car is solid.  It really could use a freshening and detail to be perfect but well above average for its age.  At some point in its life you can tell the undercarriage was was coated for protection.   I haven't test any of the lights or signals, I'm leaving that up to its new owner so they tinker with that on the weekends.  If you have any questions please let me know.Interior:The interior is about 98% original with the only upgrades to be the driver's bottom seat material and the addition of the 1980's stereo which include 4 speakers mounted in the corners.  The wood from dash and doors are all original and it appears that all the gauges work!   As you'll see in the photos there are signs of aging to the leather hide material but I've seen worse on 10 year old vehicles.   The windows all seem to operate to the best of my knowledge.  The headliner is original along with its sun shades in the visors.  Please view the photos and video and let me know of any questions you may have. Drive Train:The engine is its numbers matching B339L and runs quite well and the clutch shifts smoothly through all gears.  The car runs surprisingly well and handles the same.  The car has been maintained properly with the documentation to prove it.  The brakes need to be adjust but it does stop.  I did had the wheels off the car to adjust the brakes but was very intimated by the set up for I have not seen this type of set up.  I wouldn't take the car on any trips or long drives until the brakes are adjusted for the pedal is low and brakes grab just the rear 2 wheels.  Also, a new set of tires may be needed not for tread purposes but just because the tires are older wide whites.  There are many parts that are included for oil change and maintenance including a spare tube for the tires.  The electrical is 12 volts.  What is included with the sale:Many chrome lights and fixturesThe original owner's manual.Original electrical manualHubcap toolOil Filters and spark plugsMiscellaneous ItemsSome maintenance records In Summation:If you're looking for a unique car from this era, with an outstanding heritage and connections to Royalty, this may be the proper fit for your collection.  And besides the 1 repaint, its as close as original as you can get.  So be sure to ask any questions you may have.  Payment:A $1000 non refundable deposit is due immediately after auction end.  The balance due in certified funds within 7 days of end of auction, no exceptions.  I can help with (indoor) storage for a reasonable amount of time for the buyer to arrange for pick up.  If you can not abide by these requirements please do not bid.  Because I am not educated on the current market value of this era Bentley I am offering the car with NO RESERVE!  BELOW, MAKE SURE YOU SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW ALL PHOTOS AND TO VIEW THE 2 VIDEOS AT THE BOTTOM.  THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO WALK AROUNDCLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO OF CAR RUNNING AND DRIVING

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