Abbott bodied shooting brake

Andrew Williams · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 5

Hello members of the forum.
I am new to the forum and the world of Bentleys but not vintage and classic cars.
I am toying with the idea of buying a Bentley MkIV Abbott bodied shooting brake but I am struggling to find any information about it on the net.
Would anyone on this forum be able to offer advise etc about the car?

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:55 am Post subject:

The only record is that Abbot of Farnham built an Estate Car, B259 FU, May 1950 Reg, ETL40.

The ash framework may need a bit of attention as will the rest of the car, and I hope that it is in running condition.

Andrew Williams · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 5

John Murch · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:04 am Post subject:

I think that it is a rather splendid looking car, good luck with it.
John

Paul Spencer · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 9:05 am Post subject:

Does anyone know how similar this is to David Rolfe's car? Is his an Abbott? He may be able to help with advice.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 10:56 am Post subject:

Abbot only ever made this sole Estate Car on the MK VI chassis, however they did a lot of other conversions on Ford Consul/Zepyr/Zodiac/Jag etc.

Most of the others on the Bentley chassis were by Harold Radford, however I think the plain paneling on this one is more acceptable.

Which parts are missing Andrew?

Paul Spencer · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:07 pm Post subject:

Chris,

You mention MkVI. Andrew wrote MkIV here and in an email to me. I had never heard of a Mk IV, but Googled it and found it sometimes used as a reference to Derby cars. So is this a MkVI or a Derby?

John Robins · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:13 pm Post subject:

Mk VI, page 182 of Bernard King's book. The car is recorded as having this body from new, whereas there are a few cars which appear to have been converted in later life, the various Radfords, and one van, bodied by Hooper's, and later made into an estate car.

There are also three or four R-types, plus the Radford conversions.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:19 pm Post subject:

Paul,

Andrew made a minor error, but the car is on the MK VI chassis.

The Bentley MK V, was 1939/41, and a development of the Derby Bentley, the 4 1/4 litre was referred to as the MK IV, retrospectively.

The Bentley MK VI and family MK VII (R Type) was 1946 to 1955.

Andrew Williams · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 5

Thank you to all the posters and yes I have made a mistake in my Roman Numerals it should be MkVI.

Good to know that the car was like this from new.

What is the Bernard King book that it is in?

It does look more pleasing to my eye than the Radford cars but that is my own personal taste.

Once again thanks for any information.

Andrew

John Robins · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 1:19 pm Post subject:

Complete Classics, Number 9.

"Bentley MkVI". Bernard King

ISBN 978-0-9530451-7-4

I bought mine from club hq.

Andrew Williams · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 5