The immediate post-war years served Bentley well, with the new Mark VI proving the most popular model so far in the firm’s history. Most of the 4,001 examples built gained the Crewe factory’s Standard Steel body penned by John Polwhele Blatchley. However, for customers intent on standing out from the crowd that bit more, they could have their car dressed by an alternative coachbuilder. One such concern was Franay of Paris.

Franay built just 18 bodies on the Mark VI in period. The right-hand-drive car offered here, chassis B26BH from 1947, is even more distinct, having gained a unique design. While Franay gave a similar treatment to a contemporary Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, this is the only example to use the Bentley platform. The original commission is owed to a paper mill heir, Mr AJ Liechti of Saint-Louis. It is said that, despite the one-off bodywork, Liechti was quite content to drive the car extensively as he moved from one family home to the next, wafting across Europe under 4 ¼-litre straight-six power.

Registered by Mr Liechti in November 1947, this Bentley changed hands twice more in France before being acquired by Franco Britannic Autos of Paris in May 1960. F.B.A. then sold B26BH to a Rolls-Royce Owners Club member, Mr Frederick Jones of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He exported the car to the United States, with the Bentley remaining in his possession until 1978. After a stint with a collector in Connecticut, the Mark VI Cabriolet was purchased by Mr Ed Thorpe of North Carolina. He oversaw a restoration, with the repainted two-tone grey car then joining the stable of well-known Rolls-Royce collector, Sam Ornstein of New Jersey. The car later returned to Pennsylvania, finding its way into another Rolls-Royce collection. Come the turn of the new millennium, a second restoration was commissioned. At this point, the current two-tone chocolate brown colour scheme was applied, with Figoni-style chrome accents added along the curves of the wings and door sills.

Testament to the 5,000 hours of labour involved, the car was frequently displayed thereafter. Among many awards won, most notable are a pair of Best in Class victories at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2009 and 2015. Enjoyed by two more custodians, the Bentley was acquired by the consigning owner in January 2019. It is accompanied by owner’s guides.

Awash with exquisite details such as a pair of folding optional seats, picnic hamper, two bespoke suitcases, and a shooting stick seat, this stunningly sleek and unique Mark VI Cabriolet by Franay would be a wonderful addition to any coach-built luxury car collection.