1951 Bentley Mark VI 4.5-Litre Coupé by Graber
- Engine
- 4.6L inline-six, inlet-over-exhaust valves, twin SU carburettors
- Colour
- Two-tone white over black
A 1951 Bentley Mark VI fitted with elegant two-door four-seat coupé coachwork by the Swiss firm Carrosserie Graber of Wichtrach, this car is the second of only three such bodies built on the Mark VI chassis and one of just two known survivors. Originally delivered new in Switzerland, it later passed through ownership in the United States and Germany before returning to Switzerland. The car has received extensive restoration work encompassing bodywork, engine, chassis, interior, and electrics, and has accumulated numerous concours prizes in recent years.
Ownership
- 2022-07-03Auction saleEstimate CHF 200,000 – CHF 300,000
- 1951 →Factory deliveryHans Rufenerpartial documentation
First registered owner, took delivery of the car new in 1951; had previously owned a different Mark VI chassis.
- 1987 →Acquisition unknownPeter C Dochertyfull documentation
Based between Longport, New York and Scottsdale, Arizona; ownership confirmed by documents on file covering the period from 1987 onward.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownOwner named Lietzow in Germanypartial documentation
Referenced in a marque specialist publication as the recorded owner circa 2007; German-based custodian.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent Swiss vendorpartial documentation
Has held the car for approximately 14 years; oversaw comprehensive restoration work including bodywork, engine overhaul, chassis, electrics, interior retrim, and woodwork, maintained by Classic Car Atelier AG.
Competition
- 1929St Moritz Concours d'Elegance1st
Victory recorded for a Graber-bodied Panhard et Levassor 20CV cabriolet, not this specific Bentley; noted as part of Graber's coachbuilding history.
- —Concours prizes (multiple, unspecified)Multiple prizes awarded
The current owner reports the car has accumulated numerous concours awards during their period of custodianship; individual events not identified in the prose.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Comprehensive bodywork restoration carried out to a 'good as new' standard, covering all external coachwork surfaces.
Part of a broader programme of work described as restoration carried out over a period of years during the current owner's tenure.
- —Engine rebuild
Full engine overhaul including new pistons, cylinder re-boring, and new clutch among other components.
- —Mechanical
Chassis restored with substantial expenditure; complete replacement of the electrical system.
- —Bodywork
Interior fully re-trimmed with new leather hide throughout, including the headlining, and all wooden elements comprehensively refurbished.
- —ServiceClassic Car Atelier AG
Ongoing maintenance carried out by Classic Car Atelier AG.
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