Bentley MK VI 1980 - Special By Mallalieu 2-Door

Selling on behalf of valued customer, this MKVI Special by Mallalieu was produced in 1980 and has been with the current owner since 2012.During the late 60s and early 70s, many considered creating attractive new touring bodies as opposed to investing in the restoration of a standard steel sports saloon which made more financial and practical sense. Derry F. Mallalieu decided to build his first Bentley Special whilst living in Connecticut, USA and based on a Bentley Mk. VI, before moving operations back to the UK. Adopting the leisurely, unhurried methods of traditional coach building, work proceeded at his base in Wootton near Abingdon. The handcrafted body was a composition of carefully formed panels, a beautifully finished product which was then married to the chassis of a Bentley Mk. VI whose original coachwork had simply been scrapped. Frame and engine as well as gearbox, rear axle and suspension were carefully checked before applying the standard Mallalieu formula. This involved lowering the chassis with an underslung rear end and setting the generally unmodified engine back in the chassis. His tour de force was undoubtedly the coachwork design that first consigned the original, more formal Mk. VI or R-Type coachwork to the scrapyard. The lowered radiator of Mallalieus cars was compensated for by an enlarged header tank, thus not compromising the cooling on these fast road cars. Although Mallalieu cars were bespoke and detailed to the buyers requirements, the open roadsters were, by far, the most popular. Chassis No B119DZ - Engine 4257cc Six Cylinder - Mallalieu build No 32. Comes complete with matching hood/side screen. Vehicle not stored on site, please contact us to arrange a viewing