1952 | Bentley Mark VI Park Ward

Post war Britain was a time entirely focused on national rejuvenation, whether it was the Nye Bevan opening the NHS in 100 days or Clement Atlee instructing the building of the South Banks Festival Hall government was set on guiding the country back into the light afer over half a decade of darkness

Industry too had its' part to play in making sure the national psyche recovered and was moving in the right direction, architects designed the New Towns in state of the art fashion - which admittedly haven't aged that well but gave the country a sense of pride and a positive feeling for what the future held

For Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars 1946 saw a small change in their outlook with a realisation that the market had shifted slightly away from chauffeur driven cars built for passengers, to owner driven cars. Although they would continue offering the former they needed to cater for the later too

Announced in May 1946 the MK VI was the car for it, produced with a strong cross section chassis, independent front suspension and a live leaf-sprung rear the MK VI was for the driver first and foremost. Together with the 4566cc straight six engine they had all the prerequisite credentials for great driving cars

Naturally a coach built option was available for the MK VI and records indicate that only 167 Park Ward coupe and drophead coupes were produced

Having used the very car we are offering here for the BDC Annual Concours & Rally we can certainly attest that she gives all the wonderful driver sensations she would have done when new in 1952

First registered on 2nd April she was supplied to a Mr William Elias Willis of Cardiff, a local industrialist who appreciated the fine construction of a machine built exactly for his pleasure, she has gone on to have a modest 6 owners in total and still wears her original registration number

Mr Willis had her dressed in Black originally and sensibly choose to have the Silver Dawn fog lamp on the front valance as well, this and more can be found on her build sheets within her history file together with MoTs dating back to 1987, the MK VI handbook and much more besides

Charmingly the original buff log book is still in the papers, confirming that Mr Willis kept her for at least 14 years, with stamps for each years' road tax applied by the local Licencing Office in Cardiff

He, or his Bentley dealership, had a keen eye for detail, for she is fitted with rear spats, having the Mavroleon wavelets at the base, book ending the chrome strip at the top of the doors - my she must have been an 'eye full' in Cardiff in her day!!

In the 1990s she underwent a body off restoration a full record of which can also be found in the history folder with photographs and worksheets detailing the process

It was at this time that well known expert David Cooper cloaked her in the simply marvelous colour combination of Royal Blue Metallic with Silver Mink contrast, the colours really do sit so beautifully on her

More over the interior was trimmed beautifully in Magnolia hides, piped in dark blue, to compliment the exterior - a very 1990's colour combination

Since then she has been looked after quite excellently by the most recent owner who has cared for her for close to 16 years now

Before arriving with us she was given a thorough mechanical proving by our friends and Classic Restorations Ltd in Scotland which really does show in how well she drives, smooth as anything, no creeks or squeaks, very strong engine with ample power and easy precise gear changes. Simply she is just a joy to be seated behind her steering wheel

Bentley really did hit the mark with this one as a fantastic drivers car, perfect in today's world for classic touring, that still has the ultra rare appeal of what was in its' day a ruinously expensive car