Description
The car is now up for sale after 30 years in the same family, father from 1994 – 2017 and, following his death, his son 2017 – present. It is being sold reluctantly due to the son living in London and loss of garaging in Somerset where the car has resided since 2017.
The original owner's handbook is with the car along with the original brown RF 60 Logbook showing past owners from 1951 to 1968. The file includes some history from 1982 to 1994 (including the change of registration from GDN 600 to 899 FVW in 1986) but from then onwards all the records are available for the period of the father’s ownership. These include the engineer’s report to the father prior to his purchase in 1994 and a copy of the Rolls-Royce chassis cards from when the car was built, which were obtained from the R-REC. There are MOT certificates from 1982 at 65812 miles, and tax discs from 1994, all of which show a gradual increase in miles and that the car was in regular, but not excessive, use.
The servicing and parts invoices to 2017 total 75 items and include a very detailed invoice for £7, 136 dated 29/ 10/ 07 at 2, 425 miles when the engine was extensively rebuilt by B&C Saunders. They were the mechanics in the Cotswolds where the father lived who carried out all maintenance and servicing work throughout the father’s 23 years of ownership.
Since the son’s acquisition in 2017 and speedo reading around 6, 000 miles the car has had the following work:
April 2018 - New inner tubes for the tyres £175
December 2018 – 5000 Service plus all new front brakes and new master cylinder at 6393 miles by PJ Murray, R-R & B Specialist Wiltshire at a cost of £3327.
April 2019 - Servicing at South Western Coachworks Lyme Regis £1000
April 2023 - Brake Check by South Western Coachworks £714
June 2023 - New Battery £110. 00
27 May 2024 - The Offside front wing has been repaired and resprayed
31 May 2024 - South Western Coachworks work including oil and filter change, Coolant system flushed through, front hubs repacked with fresh grease, exhaust alignment reset, Drain channels from the Sunroof cleared, front brakes cleaned and adjusted, prop shaft greased, clutch adjusted. Also MOT’d until 28 May 2025 with some small advisories.
Since 2017 the car has been used regularly and all mileages and petrol have been recorded. The car always shows excellent oil pressure, and the engine temperature runs at normal. It handles well and the brakes have received considerable attention. This, combined with the large engine, means the car can be driven happily in modern road conditions notwithstanding it is 73 years old. 1951 Bentley Mk V1
899 FVW
4. 5 litre
“Big Bore / Small Boot”. Manual Gearbox.
The car has a Sunshine roof.
One of approximately 1, 200 made of this model.
This Mk V1 is painted is Shell Grey / Tudor grey and currently shows 8, 500 miles (probably 108, 500 from new).
The father purchased the car in 1994 in order to have an additional hobby in retirement. His garaging
required a vehicle more compact than the Bentleys of the later '50's onwards. Also he was nostalgic for
memories of his earliest motoring in the 1940's when he was a wartime RAF pilot. A Mark VI was therefore
the ideal choice since it provides an updated version of many of the pre-War "Silent Sports car" features.
These include the renowned silky smooth manual gearbox, with the lever to the right of the driver's seat, plus
the view down the domed bonnet to the flying "B" mascot, the flowing wings of the car's styling, the rear-
hinged front doors and the tactile delight of firing up the engine by use of the starter button in conjunction
with the hand throttle and mixture control sliding levers on the steering wheel boss.
Having joined the R-REC the father was advised to acquire one of the more sought-after and rarer later Mk VI’s because their engine capacity was increased from 4. 25 to 4. 5 litres. Searching for an appropriate vehicle the father travelled the country test-driving several cars and having them inspected by a renowned professional expert. When he came upon this car the choice was obvious, he bought it and he and his wife obtained a lot of pleasure using the car socially and as active participants in Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club and other Classic car events over many years. #
Like many examples of the model this Mk V1 started life in Black with brown interior, but sometime prior to 1968 it was changed to metallic Shell Grey/ Tudor Grey, which many regard as the most attractive colour scheme that was available for these cars.
The woodwork is in remarkably good condition with very little damage and the rear picnic tables are near perfect. (Also the car comes with a quirky tabletop made by the father that fits onto the drop down boot lid to provide a level table at which to enjoy picnics outdoors.)
However much of the paintwork has inevitably faded over the years and a new owner may consider making improvements. Also whilst the original brown leather interior has had work over the years, it now needs a repair to the rear seat back. The asking price therefore fully reflects these factors.
This characterful 1951 Bentley Mk V1 4. 5 litre is now seeking a home with an enthusiastic new owner. They will be able to use and enjoy it as it is but also to improve it if they wish at their own pace. Meanwhile owning a Mark VI is perhaps the cheapest way to experience the pleasures of “The Silent Sports Car” characteristics and Bentley motoring of decades ago.
The car is available in Somerset for inspection and with the son’s agent.
