Ultra rare classic art deco Bentley fit with hand-wound clock could be yours for £300k – after drastic change decade ago

AN ULTRA-RARE classic art deco Bentley fitted with a hand-wound clock could be yours for a whopping £300,000 following a drastic change a decade ago.

The Bentley Mark VI is the only one among 4,000 to have its coachwork completed by Mulliners of Birmingham, a renowned British coachbuilder from Bordesley Green.

After 2010, the car’s then-owner replaced its original black colour with the current three shades of grey.

This Drophead Foursome Coupé features a 4.5-litre (4.6) six-cylinder engine.

The model was commissioned by Sir John Black, managing director of Standard-Triumph (The Standard Motor Company Limited), a car manufacturer founded in Coventry, England, in 1903.

The Bentley features red hide upholstery with grey piping and Art Deco-inspired door cards.

A hand-wound clock, mounted on the glovebox above a concealed tool kit tray, was also retained.

The car is now being auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s in London with an asking price of a whopping £300,000.

“This is an exquisite two-door Mark VI Drophead presented in three-tone grey over red hide,” reads the listing.

“It features unique coachwork; the sole Mark VI bodied by Mulliners of Birmingham.

“The car is a multiple award winner and was exhibited in the post-war Touring class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

“Further accolades in its name include being named Best in Class and Most Elegant Open Car at Ironstone, Best in Class and Best of Show at the Niello Concours, and Best in Class at Hillsborough.

“It is accompanied by a tray-fitted tool kit, hub spanner, spare wheel, and history file that documents the ownership chain, original build details, and restoration.

“An exquisite and unique version of an already-significant Bentley, chassis B342NZ boasts a fascinating back story to ultimately make for a wonderful addition to any collection.”

It follows a 120-year-old ultra-rare sports car that went up for auction with a truly eye-watering price tag.

The vintage motor includes leather seats, side and rear brass oil lights, and even a wooden steering wheel.

This rarely-seen Rochet-Schneider motor from 1904 has been listed at auction for a cool £690,000 – and it comes with an incredible backstory.

Produced by Rochet-Schneider, a French company established in 1889, the car was originally sold in 1904 in France and is number 45 of the 215 units manufactured that year.

It was then imported to the UK in 1967, where it was owned and cherished by a handful of classic car enthusiasts, including Denis Wright and Peter Agg, as well as the Tierra Blanca Collection.

‘VETERAN-ERA CARS’

Its current owner bought it in 1991, and in 2019 it was given a thorough service by veteran specialists at Jonathan Wood Ltd in Essex – with over £21,000 worth of work done to the classic car’s engine, steering, transmission, wheels and tyres.

The car’s next owner will also receive a comprehensive history file, including a certificate of dating from the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain, a FIVA passport dated 2005, and a Vintage Sports-Car Club eligibility document dated 2011.

It also retains several period-correct accessories, such as Rejna Hanardini & Cie of Milan Brevetto self-generating acetylene parabolic oval headlights.

However, for added convenience, a discreet and efficient electric starter has been installed.

RM Sotheby’s, who is listing the motor, said: “This car is one of the most remarkable veteran-era cars and a true rival to Mercedes.

“It has travelled approximately 17,000 miles in over 100 veteran car rallies across the UK and Europe under its current ownership.

“The current owner confirms that the car has been meticulously maintained and is ready for immediate use and enjoyment.

“The engine was fully rebuilt in 2003 and the car has done approximately 7,000 miles since.”

It comes after a secret collection of 230 classic motors amassed for 40 years was discovered in a warehouse and an abandoned church just last year.

And a one-hundred-year-old classic car dumped in a garage for four decades has sold for a whopping price.