Description
We have only previously owned one other Mallalieu, which was in the 1990's with Jack Barclay Ltd
She came in part exchange, and whilst normally we would never have offered a Special for sale, a Mallalieu was known as a Bentley special of some importance - Victor, Jack's son, immediately gave his approval when she arrived with us
She was proudly displayed in the side window - the premier position in the Berkeley Square showrooms
This version, again the prettier Oxford version (the other with 4 seats called the Barchetta) as was the version at JB's, is just a pippin
Derry Mallalieu, a Bugatti enthusiast, owner and driver of renown engineered the Oxford to the highest degree in the early 1970's
Formed in aluminium (the early versions were bodied by Wilkinson Ltd for him) the Oxford was of great style and panche, always looking good from every angle too
He took a MK VI completely stripped down the car, and used this for the basis of his own cars
He underslung the chassis, moved the engine back to give lower centre of gravity and better weight distribution
Using the finest materials the finished products were sold at an equivalent price to a new Bentley of the time..........
This pretty Mallalieu is number 007 (quite a nice number for Bond fans), so one of the very early versions
She has been kept in California for at least the last 20 years in the hands of one enthusiastic owner who has kept her in almost mint condition, as can been seen in the photographs
Obviously the Californian climate has helped too
The fascia veneers have suffered from the sunshine a little - patinated could be more readily applied as a term for her ageing
Anyhow should a new buyer wish this to be re-veneered, we will include this within the sale
On the road she simply purrs - feeling more nimble than Bentley's of any other period
Smooth gear changes, heaps of torque from the 4. 5 litre straight 6 engine and a deep bellow from the single exit exhaust at the rear
She has power steering which eases parking and amazingly electric seat operation which is a rather nice touch too
So more akin to an Italian sports car or an XK120, with much more leg room than anything else we can think of
There is a great tonneau cover in matching cloth and also a full hood and side screens, which fit niftily behind the seats when not needed (covered by a leather curtain so not to be seen - there is also room for personal paraphernalia too)
We love this little lady and will be very sad to see her go
