1949 Bentley Mark VI

This 1949 Bentley Mark VI is a right-hand-drive drophead coupe that features coachwork by Hooper & Co. of London, England, and is said to be one of three drawing number “8100” examples produced by the coachbuilder. Following two previous owners in the UK, the car was imported to the US circa 1979 and was reportedly acquired by the current owner in 1999. The body is finished in two-tone green over dark green leather upholstery, and power is provided by a 4.25-liter inline-six linked with a four-speed manual transmission. Features include a black soft top, 16″ steel wheels with bright covers, driving lights, trafficators, landau bars, roll-up sun visors, and dual SU carburetors. This Mark VI is now offered on dealer consignment in California with correspondence between Hooper & Co. and the initial dealer as well as service records, a Bentley handbook, and a Florida title. The Hooper & Co. drophead coupe coachwork was initially finished in gray and was repainted two-tone green decades ago. Exterior details include a black soft top, landau bars, wing windows, driving lights, trafficators, and a rear luggage compartment. The selling dealer notes faded paint and brightwork, and various paint chips and scratches are present around the body. Steel 16″ wheels wear bright Bentley-branded covers and are mounted with 6.50-16 Commander whitewall tires. Braking is handled by four-wheel drums, and work in May 2021 is said to have included rebuilding the master cylinder and wheel cylinders as well as replacing the front brake lines. The cabin features front bucket seats and a split rear bench trimmed in dark green leather along with color-coordinated door panels and carpets. Appointments include manual-crank windows, roll-up sun visors, a passenger grab handle, a locking glovebox, and an analog clock. The selling dealer notes that the radio tray is not secured and slides fore and aft when driving. Blemishes are present on the walnut trim, the driver’s seat is worn, and there is a scratch on the right-rear seat base. The three-spoke steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation consisting of a reverse-sweep 110-mph speedometer and a combination gauge. The fuel gauge does not function. The five-digit odometer shows 72k miles, approximately 2k of which were added under current ownership. The 4.25-liter inline-six was overhauled in 2004, and work included welding areas of the block and cylinder head, boring the cylinders .020″ over, polishing the valve stems and crankshaft and camshaft lobes, and rebuilding the dual SU carburetors, oil pump, water pump, distributor, dynamo, and starter. Components replaced at that time included the pistons, rings and pins, the main, camshaft, and connecting rod bearings, and the valve guides and springs along with the head studs, spark plugs, oil and coolant lines, and motor mounts. The selling dealer states that the fuel tank and lines were cleaned in 2021 and the battery was replaced in preparation for the sale. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The clutch and rear section of the exhaust were replaced in 2004. Rust is present on the underside components, additional photos of which are provided in the gallery below. The Florida title is listed as a duplicate.