History
BENTLEY “SHOW CAR”
PARK WARD DROPHEAD COUPE
1951 4.5 Litre Mark VI - 6 Cylinder - Chassis No B14MD
This is the actual car displayed by Bentley Motors Ltd in 1951 to release their 4.5 Litre range at the Earls Court Motor Show, London UK. It was imported to Australia in 1985 for a full professional restoration to win a 1990 concours event in Leura NSW and used very rarely since. The car returned to the UK in 2018 to feature at a Rolls- Royce Enthusiasts Club reunion of Earls Court show cars and to attend a rally in Devon. It was to return to Leura NSW this year for The Rolls Royce Owners' Club of Australia Federal Rally but unfortunately due to Covid-19 that event has been cancelled.
It is the first 4.5 Litre Bentley Mark VI chassis with coachwork by Park Ward. With its lightweight two- door aluminium body, bigger bore than the former 4.25 Litre version, twin carburettors and exhausts it was one of the first post-war Bentley models capable of over 100 m.p.h. Rolls-Royce were to later produce the Bentley Continental initially on a Mark VI style chasis capable of 120 m.p.h. – the world’s fastest four-seat car.
It is the only one in Australia and one of only 23 RHD manufactured of this design in the world and arguably the best example.
Price New: 6,309 Pounds 5 Shillings and 7 Pence
