In May 1946, Bentley announced its first new post-war car: the Mark VI. The factory exclusively offered the model with four-door sports saloon bodywork. But those after something a touch more individual could, as in years past, choose from one of the well-known coachbuilders of the era—such as James Young, Freestone & Webb, Hooper, H.J. Mulliner, and Park Ward—to provide a custom design for their Bentley-supplied chassis. Power came initially from a 4¼-litre straight-six, which was replaced in 1951 with the introduction of the “big bore” 4½-litre engine. The Mark VI remained in production through to 1952 with 5,208 examples built, the large majority of which received the standard four-door bodywork.

Delivered on 15 April 1948, chassis number B23CD, offered here, left the factory originally fashioned with a Sports Saloon body finished in Dual Grey over a Blue leather interior—as confirmed by the build information on file. This document further reveals the vehicle’s first owner to be Captain W R Bailey of Cardiff, Wales. His time with the car was short-lived, however, and the Bentley was exchanged to another resident of Cardiff during the winter.

In 2017, this Mark VI chassis was provided to Racing Green Engineering and completed to B Special 3/8-Litre Racer specification. Inspired by the motorsport specials of the 1930s, which were commonly seen on the high banks of Brooklands or the tree-lined curves of Crystal Palace, this creation is a wonderful homage to the era with its sporting wings, tapered body, exposed exhaust, and aero haunch behind the driver. An eight-cylinder Rolls-Royce B-series engine is cradled under the bonnet and fed by a quartet of SU Type H.6 carburettors. Upgraded springs on all four corners and larger 19-inch tyres help maintain consistent road contact, while hydraulic front and mechanical rear drum brakes are tasked with reining in the speed. This example is pleasantly finished in a traditional shade of British Racing Green, with “7” painted onto the radiator mesh. The cockpit is furnished with cognac leather bucket seats and a machine-turned dashboard with a suite of gauges.

With handsome looks backed up by genuine performance, this Bentley is sure to thrill its next owner on the racetrack or winding down a favourite country road.