1947 BENTLEY Mk VI - FRANK DALE & STEPSONS

FROM THE SHOWROOM

OF

 

125 Harlequin Avenue, Great West Road, London, TW8 9EW

Tel: 020 8847 5447 Fax: 020 8560 5748

E-mail: info@frankdale.com

1947 BENTLEY Mk VI

 

Year :  1947 Make :  Bentley Model :  Mk VI Coachbuilder :  Harold Radford Body Type :  Countryman Shooting Brake Colour :  Tudor Grey Trim :  Brown Leather Piped Beige Condition :  Good condition throughout. Technical Data :  Four speed manual gearbox, 6 cylinder in line configuration engine, upgraded from 4.25 litres displacement, 4257cc capacity to 4.9 litres displacement, 4887cc capacity. Drum brakes servo-assisted.

Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd made a complete departure from their former policy by announcing in 1946 the introduction of an entirely new Bentley that was factory built throughout. It was fitted with their design of "Standard" all steel bodywork, finished and furnished at Crewe where Bentley production still continues to this day. The tried and tested six cylinder 4256cc engine was retained, fitted with detachable aluminium alloy cylinder head with inserted valve seats. This was fitted to a frame chassis which was riveted with cruciform centre bracing and a box section pan to support the front suspension components. Lubrication was by a Bijur centralised system, operated by a foot pump situated just to the left of the steering column on right hand drive motor cars. It was advised that this pedal should be depressed once every one hundred miles. The manual gearbox had four forward gears with synchromesh on second, third and fourth gear. Despite the relatively high price tag when compared to other luxury cars available immediately after the war, the demand for this motor car was substantial. Sales were of such a brisk nature that customers were soon advised to be patient, with waiting lists for new Bentley Mk VIs becoming ever longer, with lead times stretching to over three years by the early 1950s. Production lasted until 1952 with more than 5,000 chassis finding their way to lucky new owners making it one of Bentleys most successful models ever. The vast majority of Bentley Mk VIs produced were fitted with the new standard steel coachwork from the factory, however in keeping with tradition special coachbuilt bodies were also available upon request. Chassis No B397BG was completed in late 1947 and first registered in January of 1948, fitted with woody style shooting brake coachwork by Harold Radford. This was the first of only eight cars built in this style by Radford on the Mk VI chassis and following testing by Rolls-Royce in the summer of 1948 it became Harold Radfords personal car and factory demonstrator. When producing such a car, Radford retained the standard Mk VI chassis, bonnet and radiator grill whilst the floor pan and scuttle were modified to suit the new style coachwork. Fitted with only front seats, the rear portion of the car consists of an expansive luggage storage area, finished with beautifully varnished wood panels. Chassis No B397BG was restored in the mid 1980s by Smiths of Southend, at the request of the then owner Mr Paul Kunkel. The car has subsequently changed hands twice since 1994 and more recently was upgraded with a late series Bentley S1 engine, with power steering and also a high ratio back axle. The original engine, Engine No B398B is still present and correct with the car too. It comes complete with copy factory chassis cards, history file, handbook and an old style logbook issued in 1953. We are delighted to be offering this very interesting and attractive Mk VI Bentley for sale, a car that we think will provide its next fortunate owner with a great deal of enjoyment. If you would like to make an enquiry about this vehicle, please contact us by phone on 020 8847 5447 or by email at sales@frankdale.com

1954 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER WRAITH - FRANK DALE & STEPSONS

"CLASSIC OF THE DAY"

Featuring

 

1954 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER WRAITH

 Coachbuilder :  Park Ward
Body Type :  Long Wheel Base Drophead Coupe
Colour :  Brewster Green and Cream
Trim :  Beige Leather

History :  Manufacture of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars soon resumed in 1946 after World War II with production of the Silver Wraith. It was initially offered with the same engine dimensions as the pre-war Wraith and 4 ¼ Litre Bentley, but cylinder head design was entirely different, being cast in aluminium alloy and containing only the inlet valves; spent gases exhaust through valves in the cylinder block. Front suspension is by a robust coil spring twin fulcrum arm system, a much simplified development of Phantom III and Wraith equipment. It is mounted on a chassis frame with the same great strength, fitted with orthodox leaf springs at the rear. It came in two lengths, a standard 127 inch chassis and a long wheel base variant measuring 133 inches. The familiar delightful gear shift was retained with automatic transmission becoming an option from 1953 onwards. The automatic gearbox was effectively a refined and developed version of the General Motors design. The introduction of this innovation coincided with the widening of the cylinder bores to 3.625 inches. This allied to an unchanged stroke of 4.5 inches enlarged the engine capacity to 4566cc. The famous servo assisted braking system is partially hydraulic and the last cars have power assisted steering with a 4887cc engine. The Silver Wraith chassis were offered until 1959 and were always fitted with handmade individually crafted coachwork. The war years had certainly taken their toll on the coach building industry in England, with many famous names ceasing to exist by the mid 1940’s. However some of the most established companies did survive, such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward and Hooper who between them were responsible for designing and creating some of the most elegant and stylish coachwork fitted to the Silver Wraith chassis. A total of 1,886 Silver Wraiths were produced between 1946 and 1959 and were ordered by a diverse cross section of customers, including governments who purchased them for Presidential use. A number of cars were purchased by nobility and Royal families all over the world. The Silver Wraith also found favour amongst captains of industry as well as recognised stars in the entertainment world, making it a very successful return to motor car production for Rolls-Royce. Chassis No BLW77 was completed at the Park Ward works in Willesden in April of 1954, built to the order of Neville Industrial Securities. It was built to Design No 547 and was the only car to be completed in this style, fitted with a power hood, power windows and rear wheel spats. It could be described as Park Wards most stylish creation on the long wheel base Silver Wraith chassis. It was purchased by Frank Dale & Stepsons in the early 1980’s from a Swedish collector and restored at this time; the work included a bare metal re-paint, new interior, new hood and mechanical preparation. It subsequently attended a number of concours events where it was regularly rewarded for its quality, elegance and style. It has remained in our collection ever since, used on a regular basis throughout the year attending motoring events and social functions. It has been maintained in our workshops throughout to ensure reliability, correct performance and pleasurable motoring. It is widely admired wherever it goes and is now offered for sale for the first time on over three decades complete with tools and original handbook.

Condition :  An older restoration still in good condition throughout.

Technical Data :  Four speed automatic gearbox, 6 cylinder in line configuration engine, 4.5 litres displacement, 4566cc capacity. Drum brakes servo-assisted.

London Office

• James Crickmay

• 125 Harlequin Avenue, Great West Road, London TW8 9EW, UK

• Tel: 020 8847 5447     Fax: 020 8560 5748      Email: info@frankdale.com