1950 Bentley Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon

• A charming example, delivered new to The Bristol Motor Company in 1951
• Its third owner was H.R.H. Prince Turki Al Faisal, Prince of the Royal Saudi family
• He commissioned a full restoration by Jack Barclay in 1997 including a Mustard Yellow two-tone finish. The interior was totally restored in beautiful tan leather and all woodwork suitably rejuvenated. Receipts are in the file totalling approximately £47,000
• Not short of glamour throughout its life having lived on the Champs-Élysées followed by a couple of years in a Saudi Royal Palace
• Fascinating history file containing original factory build-sheets and specifications, invoices for work conducted by Frank Dale and a detailed account of the full restoration by Jack Barclay
• A splendid opportunity to enjoy the ultimate in fifties' prestige saloon ownership
• It comes with the complete original owners tool kit

Introduced in 1946, the MKVI was Bentley's first post-war model and the first vehicle ever offered by the company with factory-designed coachwork. Built around a massive cruciform-braced chassis with independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, it was fitted with a freshly developed 4257cc OISE (overhead inlet side exhaust valve) straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Capable of over 100mph when clad in the factory's understated 'standard steel saloon' coachwork, the MKVI quickly developed a reputation for being a refined yet responsive drive.

Offered here is a charming example of the Mark VI that was delivered new to The Bristol Motor Company in 1951 and later became the personal London car of a prominent Prince of the Royal Saudi family. Purchased by The Bristol Motor Company as a demonstrator in 1951, it was sold to Arthur Short Esq. in December 1951 before ownership passed to H.R.H. Prince Turki Al Faisal who had the Bentley fully restored by Jack Barclay in 1997. With the car is a fascinating history file containing original factory build-sheets and specifications, invoices for work conducted by Frank Dale and a detailed account of the full restoration by Jack Barclay.

The Mark VI still carries its original registration from 1951 and, during the 1997 restoration, the Black Belco coachwork was enhanced by a Mustard Yellow two-tone finish highlighting the bodylines, and it seems the favoured colour combination for a two-year stay in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The history file contains shipping details (returned to the UK in 1999) and plenty of correspondence to Jack Barclay and the shipping agents responsible for the Bentleys visit to Saudi Arabia. It seems it also spent time in Paris on the Champs-Élysées with the French registration, 664 ARV 92. The file also contains letters outlining Jack Barclay's collection of the car from Paris in June 1996 by covered wagon before they embarked on their comprehensive restoration.The interior was totally restored in beautiful tan leather and all woodwork suitably rejuvenated. Receipts are in the file totalling approximately £47,000. Amazingly, despite all its adventures, the original tool kit, bulbs and all, appear to have remained intact.

All in all, this is a beautiful Bentley with a fascinating timeline and offers a splendid opportunity to enjoy the ultimate in Fifties' prestige saloon ownership. Probably unrepeatable at this guide level, a real delight and truly on the button.