This magnificent Bentley Mark VI, chassis number B190MD with engine number B95M, as noted on its build record, was ordered from renowned Swiss coachbuilder Hermnan Graber by a Madame J. Stadler through S.A. de Garage de l’Athénée, the noted Bentley and Rolls-Royce salesroom in Geneva. While many sources over the years have described the car as being delivered as a fixed head coupe, as is noted on its Bentley build documents, it was in fact one of approximately 14 Graber bodies originally supplied as a cabriolet, its present configuration, as noted by respected historian Klaus-Josef Roßfeldt in his examination of Hermann Graber’s diaries—discussion of which is included in the accompanying file and identifies the car as body number 635. Its lines are taut and highly sporting, with more than a trace of Aston Martin DB2 visible in the long, flush front fenders, short, rounded rear deck, and raked, split windshield.

The Rolls-Royce Foundation documents a subsequent owner of the Mark VI named Derek J.T. Randall of the Isle of Man in 1977. Dr. Gail Reingold acquired the car from Joe Dewoody in 1993 and commissioned the Bentley’s restoration by D&D Classic Auto Restoration of Covington, Ohio, and Rickman Motors of California. Comprehensive invoices for D&D’s work are on file. Afterward he used the car with great passion in numerous events, including an extensive tour of Europe in late 1998. Dr. Reingold’s daughter, Diane, recalls the stories of that tour, which are emblematic of the pleasurable memories made in actually running and enjoying a vintage car as it was meant to be used. “It was a tour all through Europe, all of the Alps, and some of the Pyrenees. When they got to the town of Covarrubias, Spain, they were greeted by the mayor with a welcoming committee for all of the car drivers, a dinner in an historic church, and all of the kids of the town—who came running out, and some of them jumped into the car!” She further notes that at one point he sold the car, but missed it sufficiently to eventually reacquire it, and thereafter made an encore appearance at The Quail, A Motosrsports Gathering in 2016.

Today the Bentley still shows beautifully, reflective of the fine care it has been given over the years, especially in Dr. Reingold’s ownership. In addition to the aforementioned history and restoration documentation, the car is accompanied by an original handbook. It is a marvelous piece of engineering and design, from two of the great names in postwar coachbuilt automobile, Bentley and Hermann Graber, both masters of their respective craft.