23854 1952 Bentley Mark VI Litre Drophead Coupé (Astoria, NY)

23854 1952 Bentley Mark VI Litre Drophead Coupé

Factory Left-hand Drive 1952 Bentley Mark VI 41 2- Litre Drophead Coupe Coachwork by H. J. Mulliner Park Ward Ltd Despite the popularity of the factory s standard steel body premiered on the MkVI Bentley a coachbuilt alternative remained the preferred choice of many customers. Indeed anyone desiring a soft-top Rolls-Royce or Bentley had no alternative but to commission one from an independent coachbuilder there being no factory-built alternative at this time. With the passage of time many Mark VIs have lost their original bodywork in many cases because it had deteriorated beyond economical repair. Not so this left-hand drive example chassis number B499LNY which retains its original drophead coup coachwork by Park Ward Ltd. Delivered to the shippers on 1st October 1952 B499LNY was supplied new via the United States importer J S Inskip to first owner J S Fitch Esq of Washington Pennsylvania USA. Accompanying copy chassis cards show that the Bentley was ordered with various options including flashing indicators bonnet locks power operated hood medium wave radio sealed beam headlamps Made in England plate and whitewall tyres. Unfortunately nothing else is known of its early history chronologically the next evidence on file being a State of Florida Certificate of Title in the name of Mary M Coffin of Palm Beach issued on 28th January 2003. The current vendor purchased the Bentley in March 2008 from Fashion Management Europe (purchase invoice on file). A wonderful opportunity to own a handsome and rare coachbuilt Mark VI soft-top the ultimate in fresh air motoring in its day. Although the current odometer reading states 57 067 miles this Bentley would benefit from a complete respray and some cosmetic work in the interior. An overhaul of its mechanical components is also required. In addition the soft top has to be restored. However the chassis looks solid and the car retains its matching engine numbers. CHASSIS NO. B499LNY ENGINE NO. B499N Rare coachbuilt soft-top Mark VI Original left-hand drive model Delivered new to the USA Present ownership since 2008 Matching numbers chassis and engine Price 135 000