Bentley MK VI wedding car hire

Bentley Mark VI: post-war English class

The Mark VI was the first Bentley built after the Second World War, at the factory in Crewe. It was produced from shortly after the war until the early 1950s and was one of the first Bentleys that could also be bought with bodywork made by the factory itself. Before that, with a marque like Bentley you often bought only the chassis and had a coachbuilder make the body. The Rolls-Royce of the same period shared a lot of its engineering with the Mark VI.

As a wedding car, the Mark VI is exactly what many couples look for in an English classic: a tall, stately grille, separate headlamps, flowing wings and an interior with leather and walnut. There is room inside for four people, with a wide back seat for the bride and groom.

What you can expect from a Bentley from just after the war

A Mark VI drives calmly and with dignity. The six-cylinder engine is smooth, the car is heavy and softly sprung, and the pace is slower than in modern traffic. That suits a wedding day: nobody is in a hurry, and from the back seat you can watch the route glide by. It is, however, a car that has to be driven with care, with brakes and steering that demand more effort than you are used to.

Space for the dress and train

In the back there is a wide leather bench seat. A dress with a normal skirt fits well, and a train can be laid on the floor or over the seat. The doors are narrower than on a modern car, so with a very full skirt it helps if someone assists you getting in. Wear shoes that make it easy to step up into the car.

Air conditioning, steering and weather

A car from this period has no air conditioning. On a warm summer day it can get hot inside, so park the car in the shade and keep journeys short. Many English cars of this age have right-hand drive. When it rains, a closed saloon like this is an advantage: you stay dry and your hair stays in place.

The Mark VI at your wedding

The Bentley suits a classic wedding at an estate, a castle or a historic town hall, and a couple who love timeless elegance. Have the car pull up at the entrance so guests can see it arrive, and plan photos at a driveway, an old gateway or a garden with a neatly clipped hedge. The dark paint and chrome look their best in soft light, in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Keep the decoration understated: a ribbon from the grille to the windscreen and a small bouquet on the bonnet suit a car with so much character. Always check with the rental company first, because original paintwork is delicate. More cars from this marque can be found on the page Bentley wedding cars, including the later Bentley S1 from the second half of the 1950s. You can find other British classics under English wedding cars.