now offered for sale at £5,335. This was seen as a comment on the quality of the car but also on the continuing shortage of cars for sale. By the end of 1952 order-books had shrunk and the Mark VI was replaced by the R-Type, featuring an extended boot/trunk supported by an chassis that was extended by six inches behind the rear wheels. In addition, an automatic transmission option was now available, an automatic choke along with other less visible modifications were added and former export-only options were now available to the home-market. The R-type led up to the introduction of the completely redesigned S series in 1955. Bentley Mark VI Production volumes: 1946-1951 L: 4000 (including 832 with coachbuilt bodies) 1951-1952 L: 1202 (including 180 with coachbuilt bodies) Bentley Continental A Mark VI chassis (at first referred to within the works as Corniche II) was developed by Ivan Evernden and J P Blatchley in 1950 and 1951 carrying a larger engine with a higher compression ratio and modified fuel and exhaust systems, a close ratio gearbox and much higher final drive ratio. By special arrangement with Bentley 2-door bodies were fitted having a lower frontal area and of significantly lighter construction, the first – made by H J Mulliner – developed in conjunction with Evernden and Blatchley. The first still luxurious car was more than 10% lighter than the standard car. They were the most expensive production cars in the world and the world's fastest 4/5-seater saloons with a top speed above 120 mph. These chassis were produced between June 1952 and April 1953 and bear the chassis numbers BC1A to BC26A, with the prototype, totalling 27 cars. The engine compression was reduced on the last 8 cars. The bulk of the chassis were clothed by H J Mulliner but some were bodied in Europe. Only the 27 cars were built before the R designation was added to the chassis series identification. Gallery References External links Bentley Mark VI at RRAB Mark VI 1950s cars Sedans Rear-wheel-drive vehicles 24 Hours of Le Mans race cars Cars introduced in 1946