1949 Bentley Mark VI Super Sports Saloon

Believed to be one of five wearing this style of H.J. Mulliner Super Sports Saloon coachwork, chassis HX84383 is a right-hand drive, right-hand shift car equipped with a 4 ¼ liter F-head straight-six and 4-speed manual transmission.

The car’s styling shows clear early postwar American styling influence, which is surprising given its builder’s reputation for traditional, if frequently outstanding, designs.

While the car’s upright cabin remains appropriately formal, its fuselage-like surfaces and Art Moderne inspired detailing evoke the pivotal V12 Lincoln Continental of 1940. Fabulous details abound, including the delightful upward kick of the wheel spats and the studied interface between rear door and rear wheel openings.

The cabin appears to be similarly well preserved to the exterior, and apart from an aftermarket leather rim wrap on the steering wheel, it seems to remain largely standard as well. Note the floor-mounted shifter for the 4-speed manual gearbox–interestingly, on left-hand drive, three-pedal Mark VI’s, shifts were performed via a steering column-mounted lever. Rich blues, grays, and warm wood tones make for a very inviting place, and complement the exterior color nicely as well.

The 4 ¼ liter straight-six is an unusual F-head design featuring overhead intake valves and in-block exhaust valves, a design noted for its smoothness, torque-rich delivery, and silent running.

This car is sold with limited documented history.

Bentley Mark VI’s are known to be discreet driver’s cars, with accurate, direct steering and a near-ideal balance between comfortable ride and responsive handling. This example’s extraordinary, beautiful, and very rare coachwork make it particularly special.