BUYING GUIDE SPECIAL TOP TEN BUYS
MkVI, R-TYPE & SILVER DAWN (1946-1955)
The MkVI marked the start of a new era for Bentley – and not just because it was its first post-war model. This was also the first Bentley to be built at Crewe since Rolls-Royce’s takeover of the marque in 1931. Crucially, however, it was the first Rolls-Royce product of any sort to be provided as a complete car (bodied, trimmed and furnished) from the factory, with all previous Rolls-Royces and Bentleys having been shipped only as rolling chassis for coachbuilders to work their craft on.
Using a shortened version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith chassis (120 instead of 127 inches) and the same 4257cc straight-six engine (later increased to 4566cc), the MkVI could be had as a Standard Steel saloon for just shy of £4500, featuring an all-steel welded body produced by Pressed Steel and painted and trimmed at Crewe. For those needing something more stand-out, bare rolling chassis could be provided, with such revered coachbuilders as James Young, Park Ward, Hooper, Radford and Mulliner all creating bodies for the MkVI in a variety of different styles.
The MkVI was usurped by the Bentley R-Type in 1952, although the newcomer was essentially an update of its predecessor – and a successful one, with around 2300 R-Types sold during its three-year run, adding to the MkVI’s success rate of around 5200 sales. The most obvious change over the MkVI was an enlarged boot on the Standard Steel saloon, answering one of the few constant criticisms of the older model.
The R-Type had the option of a four-speed automatic transmission from the start and would become the last Bentley to be offered with manual transmission (also a four-speed). As with the MkVI, the R-Type boasted the usual Bentley attributes of strong performance (a top speed of nearly 102mph, with 0–60mph in 13 seconds) and a great deal of refinement and comfort. Grille, badges and minor trim aside, the R-Type was identical to the contemporary Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (announced for the US market in 1949 but not available in Britain for another four years), but it was the slightly cheaper (£4400 against £4750) Bentley that proved to be by far the bestseller, with fewer than 800 Silver Dawns being produced in total.
WHAT TO PAY
PROJECT £8,000-£15,000
GOOD £25,000-£40,000
EXCELLENT £45,000-£65,000
Given that they are essentially similar cars, the character and appeal of an R-Type is the same as the older MkVI. While most MkVIs come with the smaller engine of the early cars, all R-Type buyers benefit from the 4.7-litre unit that arrived later, usually combined with automatic transmission for a more effortless driving experience. Although the MkVI and R-Type were well-built machines, corrosion can still take hold in their sills, floors, roof and wings in particular (all of which will require careful inspection), as well as anywhere around attachments such as lamps or trim. The condition of the gearbox, brakes and rear axle should also be a priority as these parts are expensive to refurbish or replace. If buying a car that’s previously been restored, ask for photographic proof of the work carried out and ensure it was done to the kind of standard you’d expect with any Bentley.
Both the MkVI and R-Type are models well worth seeking out now thanks to their enticing combination of post-war modernity, reliability, good performance (capable of keeping up with modern traffic and road conditions), surprisingly taut handling and high levels of comfort and refinement. You’ll pay significantly more for a rare coachbuilt example of either model, but the Standard Steel derivatives still manage to offer good value in today’s market.
“These are models well worth seeking out now thanks to their combination of post-war modernity, reliability and good performance”
SILVER CLOUD & S-SERIES (1955-1965)
When unveiled in 1955, the eagerly awaited new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-series (usually referred to as the
