Bentley Mark VI

Infobox Automobile
name = Bentley Mark VI


manufacturer = Bentley
production = 1946–1952
5208 producedcite book |last=King|first=Bernard.L|title=Bentley Mark VI|year=2008|publisher=Complete Classics|location=Coulsdon, England|id=ISBN 978-0-9530451-7-4]
predecessor = Mark V
layout = FR layout
assembly = Crewe, England
successor = R Type
body_style = 2 and 4-door saloon
2-door drophead
class = luxury car
length = Auto in|192|0
wheelbase = Auto in|120|0
width = Auto in|70|0
height = Auto in|64.5|0
weight = Auto lb|2352|0 - Auto lb|2436|0
track = Auto in|56.5|0(front) Auto in|58.5|0(rear)
transmission = 4-speed manual
engine = 4.3 L I6
4.6 L I6
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 syncromesh manual 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 Auto in|12.25|0 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 convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 15.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|16.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £4,473 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Bentley Mark VI Saloon| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = October 10 1951]

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

References