Vehicle exhibits

The Bentley Mark VI was produced from 1946 to 1952 and was the first post-war Bentley model. It was also the first Bentley to be built at the new Crewe works, following Rolls-Royce’s move from Derby after the Second World War. Bentley’s own heritage material describes the Mark VI as the first Bentley produced at Crewe and the most popular Bentley model built up to that time.

The Mark VI was closely based on the pre-war Bentley Mark V, but introduced an important shift in luxury car production. Before the war, many high-end cars were supplied as rolling chassis for independent coachbuilders to body. The Mark VI was offered as a complete car with a factory-built “Standard Steel” saloon body, while chassis were still supplied to specialist coachbuilders for more individual designs.

Early Mark VI models used a 4,257 cc six-cylinder engine, which was enlarged in 1951 to 4,566 cc. This later “big-bore” engine gave the car stronger performance, with around 150 bhp and a top speed close to 100 mph. The car also featured independent front suspension and a four-speed manual gearbox, giving it a refined but capable driving character for its era.

With its combination of traditional Bentley craftsmanship, post-war practicality, and strong performance, the Mark VI became one of the defining British luxury cars of the late 1940s and early 1950s. It remained in production until 1952, when it was replaced by the Bentley R-Type, which offered similar styling but with a longer rear body and larger boot.

This example was kindly donated to Southward Car Museum by Roger T. Lloyd J.P., founder of the New Zealand Rolls-Royce & Bentley Club.