Lot details

Registration No: LGC 846
Chassis No: B25GT
MOT: Exempt

Known ownership since new

Offered with an extensive history file that recites much recent expenditure

Subject to a clutch replacement and ignition system work in preparation for sale

Introduced in 1946, Bentley's MKVI was the first vehicle ever offered by the company with factory-designed coachwork, and the first to be assembled in Rolls-Royce's Crewe factory rather than the old Derby premises. Aimed at the emerging 'owner-driver' luxury car market, the newcomer was closely based on the 1939 MKV (of which only fifteen were produced). Built around a massive cruciform-braced chassis with independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, it was fitted with a freshly developed 4257cc OISE (overhead inlet side exhaust valve) straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Capable of over 100mph when clad in the factory's understated 'standard steel saloon' coachwork, the MKVI quickly developed a reputation for being a refined yet responsive drive.

According to copies of the chassis cards that are supplied within the history file, chassis B25GT was ordered on April 26th, 1950 through Rolls Royce subsidiary Park Ward & Co and specified in Tudor Grey over a Light Blue interior colour. It would be first registered on May 1st as 'LGC 846'. The first owner was a Miss Nancy Quenelda Radcliffe Platt of Henley-on-Thames. She was a remarkable woman who in the 1920s and 30s had been an accomplished tennis player. Historic records show that she had played competitively in Cannes, Monte Carlo and at Wimbledon. Radcliffe kept the car for just two years before it was sold to the then Chairman of Booker Brothers, Sir Jock Campbell, an extraordinary man who in 1966 was made Baron Campbell of Escan by then Prime Minister Harold Wilson and was reputedly very good friends with James Bond novelist, Ian Fleming. Jock must have used the car extensively as the chassis record shows it required an engine overhaul with new pistons and camshaft bearings in October 1956. Jack Barclay Limited of Berkeley Square then took 'LGC 846' in part exchange against a new Bentley Continental in March 1959, allowing £1,100 for the then 82,000 miles car against the £4750 cost of the new Bentley. On May 11th that same year, 1959, it was bought by Rolls Royce coachbuilders and dealers James Young for £1,000. Just three days later they sold it on to a new owner in Sevenoaks.

The green continuation logbook first dated 1965 shows further owners in Greater London, Surrey and Dudley in the West Midlands. An auction catalogue from Victoria & Co of Buckingham Place Road, London for their sale on February 9th, 1980, and the car, lot 119 is described as “A really exceptional example, having been recently restored”. It then remained in the same ownership for some 35 years. The previous owner who bought the Bentley in 2015 subjected the car to much maintenance and in addition to a complete repaint, a program of mechanical work was also completed. This included kingpins, water pump, radiator, brake overhaul, the fitment of a high ratio Continental differential, plus the fitment of a full flow oil filter plus cylinder head work. The vendor purchased 'LGC 846' during 2022 from renowned dealer, Classic & Sports Car Centre of Malton, North Yorkshire for some £33,800 and has used it as a service vehicle for guests of his country estate in Devon, advertising it for use for weddings and other events. Due to the Bentley being a working car, the requirement has been to maintain it to a 'tip-top' standard, with the fitment of a new clutch and ignition system servicing being the most recent tasks performed.

Now described by the vendor as a 'very good' example both mechanically and cosmetically, the delightful original interior complements the paint scheme very well. It was noted that the main area to address is some small areas of paint correction needed although they are considered minor. Supplied with the original tool kit, it also come with a large history file containing the aforementioned chassis cards, invoices for work performed over the years in the current and previous ownership and the UK V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430