1951 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupé (Mulliners of Birmingham coachwork, one-off design)
- Engine
- 4.5L F-head inline-six with full-flow oil filter and dual exhaust
- Colour
- Three-tone grey
Bentley Mark VI chassis B342NZ is a unique one-off drophead coupé bodied by Mulliners of Birmingham to a bespoke design by Stuart Peck, one of only five such bespoke open bodies on the entire Mark VI production run. Commissioned by Sir John Black, Managing Director of Standard Motor Cars, the car passed through several American owners before a comprehensive five-year, 12,000-man-hour restoration was undertaken in California. It subsequently earned class and show honours at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and other major California concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$434,000
- 1973 →Acquisition unknownDr. Kurt Hammerstrompartial documentation
Initiated a restoration but then placed the car in long-term storage for roughly 37 years; the car passed to the next owner through his estate.
- Date unknownFactory deliverySir John Blackpartial documentation
Managing Director of Standard Motor Cars, he commissioned the bespoke coachwork to a one-off Mulliners design; reasons for ordering the car remain unclear, with theories involving the coronation and Triumph design study.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLeslie Onslowpartial documentation
Resident of Bournemouth; acquired the car roughly two months after Triumph's post-war sports cars were launched, suggesting Sir John had fulfilled his purpose for the Bentley.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownC.J. Gelberpartial documentation
California-based owner who used the car regularly for approximately a decade after it moved to the United States.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownA. Sheratin Atkinsonpartial documentation
California-based owner; succeeded Gelber in the chain of custody.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCalifornia Rolls-Royce and Bentley collectorpartial documentation
Long-standing member of RROC, RREC, and Bentley Drivers Club; commissioned a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration lasting five years and over 12,000 hours, then showed the car extensively in California concours events.
Competition
- 20142014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Displayed in the post-war Touring class; no award result mentioned for this specific event.
- —Ironstone ConcoursBest in Class and Most Elegant Open Car
One of several California concours appearances following the Pebble Beach showing.
- —Niello ConcoursBest in Class and Best of Show
One of several California concours appearances following the Pebble Beach showing.
- —Hillsborough ConcoursBest in Class
One of several California concours appearances following the Pebble Beach showing.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1973Restoration
Dr. Hammerstrom initiated a restoration after acquiring the car but did not complete it; the car was subsequently placed in storage for roughly 37 years.
The extent of work completed before storage is unspecified.
- —RestorationBentley specialists (unnamed)
A comprehensive five-year mechanical and cosmetic restoration carried out by Bentley specialists to an authentic standard, involving over 12,000 man-hours. The original black exterior was replaced with a three-tone grey scheme; red leather interior is piped in grey; polished crotch-burl veneer with fiddleback pattern fitted throughout. The factory Radiomobile 100 radio was converted to AM/FM with concealed door speakers, while the original clock was retained.
Commissioned by the California-based enthusiast who acquired the car from the Hammerstrom estate; concluded prior to the 2014 Pebble Beach appearance.
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