Bentley Mark VI

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Bentley Mark VI
Manufacturer	Bentley
Production	1946–1952 5201 produced[1]
Predecessor	Mark V
Successor	R Type
Engine(s)	4.3 L I6 4.6 L I6
Transmission(s)	4-speed manual
Wheelbase	120 in (3048 mm) [2]
Length	192 in (4877 mm) [2]
Width	70 in (1778 mm) [2]
Height	64.5 in (1638 mm) [2]
Curb weight	2352 lb (1067 kg) - 2436 lb (1105 kg)
Related	Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

The Bentley Mark VI was the first post-war luxury car from Bentley. Produced from 1946 to 1952, it was also the first car from Rolls-Royce with factory coachwork but chassis were still also supplied to independent coachbuilders . The chassis and engine went on to be used as the basis of those in the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith of 1946 and Silver Dawn of 1949.

The Mark VI used an F-head straight-6 engine 4.3 L (4257 cc/259 in³) in size. In 1951, a 4.6 L (4566 cc/278 in³) version of the engine was introduced. A four speed manual synchromesh transmission was fitted with the change lever to the right of the driver on right hand drive cars and on the column on left hand drive versions.

The chassis used leaf springs at the rear and independent coil springing at the front with a control on the steering wheel centre to adjust the hardness of the rear springing. A central lubrication system allowing oil to be applied to moving parts of the suspension from a central reservoir was fitted. The 12.25 in (311 mm) drum brakes were assisted by the traditional Rolls-Royce mechanical servo.

The factory bodies were made by Pressed Steel Ltd of Coventry and sent to the Bentley works at Crewe for painting and fitting out with traditional wood and leather. They featured rear hinged "suicide" doors and a sliding sunroof.

A 4.6 litre, factory bodied car tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 15.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 16.5 miles per imperial gallon (17.1 L/100 km/13.7 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £4,473 including taxes. ^[2]

Production:

• 4¼ L: 4000 (832 with coachbuilt bodies)
• 4½ L: 1202 (180 with coachbuilt bodies)

[edit] References

v • d • e Bentley ownership and road car timeline, 1920s–present – now a marque of the Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen AG) (VWAG)
Type	1920s		1930s		1940s		1950s		1960s		1970s		1980s		1990s				2000s
	Independent		Rolls-Royce															Volkswagen Group
Sports car	3 L	4½ L			WWII
Saloon		6½/Six	4L/3½ 4¼L/V			VI	R	S1/S2/S3		T1		T2	Mulsanne								CFS
Premium		8 L										Camargue						Arnage
Coupé											Corniche			Continental & C Turbo		Continental R/S/T				C GT
Convertible																	Azure				C GTC
Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys