Rolls-Royce's mechanical servo assistance. 57% of the effort was now applied to the front of the car. Production Thirty five MK V Chassis were manufactured numbered B-2-AW through to B-70-AW with even numbers only being used. Eighteen chassis were scrapped. Mark V: seventeen cars completed (seven cars remain). Corniche MK V: One car completed. The chassis number given was 14-BV. A lighter gauge steel was used to save weight. Designation Mark V Some consider Marks I, II and III to have been Rolls-Royce development vehicles and therefore Mark IV the first Derby 3½-litre and 4¼-litre Bentleys. Mark V follows naturally from that but Mark VI became the last. Experimental department A lightweight and aerodynamic Corniche model was planned, but the outbreak of World War II halted development work and the concept finally emerged more than a decade later as the Bentley Continental in 1952. Weight was critical, tyre designs of the day could not safely support bigger cars at the continuous high speeds then becoming achievable on the Continent's new motorways. This first 4-door sports saloon had a body designed by Georges Paulin and built by Vanvooren of Paris. While in France it was seriously damaged when rolled-over. Left on the quayside at Dieppe it is believed it was destroyed by bombing though the chassis may have returned to Derby. A copy of this car is currently being recreated by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust in Derby. A special streamlined mascot was designed by Georges Paulin after being commissioned by Alex Harvey Bailey. A photograph of the original car may be seen through an external link -see below. Gallery References The Rolls-Royce Motor-Car, Anthony Bird and Ian Hallows, B. T. Batsford, London 1972 page 282. External links B-24-AW starting up after a period of nearly 40 years Bentley Corniche prototype coachwork by Vanvooren 1939 Mark 5 1940s cars Cars introduced in 1939