Page 7 - Bentley Mark VI & R-Type

DALTON WATSON FINE BOOKS
TOP (BOTH): Around the same time,
the seating upholstery was changed
to the ‘pleat and bolster’ style, at first
with the centre section of the fronts
seat backs heavily rolled at the top,
between prominent shoulder supports,
as with the previous unpleated
upholstery. This may be glimpsed in
the rear compartment view, as well
as reflected in the window glass in
the front compartment view. Note
the piping in a contrasting colour – a
customer option that was sometimes
specified.
LOWER: Late in 1949, a number of
changes occurred which particularly
affected export cars. The new wheel
trim discs seen here were progressively
introduced, while those for export
to certain countries in which the
traditional centre light no longer met
local design rules, were fitted instead
© DALTON WATSON FINE BOOKS
with a pair of Lucas SFT-700 fog
lights. A little earlier, export cars had
begun to receive sturdier bumpers,
with much larger overriders. At first,
these were the blade-type bumpers of
Pyrene manufacture, followed by the
Wilmot Breeden ‘heavy-export’ type
seen here.
ON WATSON FINE BO
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Origins and
Design Philosophy © DALTON WATSON FINE BOO
quarters were all finished in beautiful-figured walnut veneer in the best
coachbuilding tradition. All this work was carried out by hand by highly-
skilled craftsmen and no effort was spared to ensure that the standard
saloon would withstand the most critical comparison with elegant and
luxurious coachbuilt cars.
It might at first sight appear unlikely that the skills required to bring all
of that about were to be found in and around early post-war Crewe, let
alone within the Company itself, so the impression created is that suitably
trained people came from nowhere overnight, bringing with them all the
ALTON WATSO29