Bentley Six All Weather Open Tourer Corsica Body
Classic Days - Schloss Dyck, August 2013

Mille Miglia, May 2013

Prescot VSCC Hillclimb, August 2011

Mille Miglia 2008.

Bentley 6½ Litre Allweather Open Torer by Corsica

In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

"I maintained and drove this Bentley with my friend Graham Read from 1965 to 1977. I hope it still retains its practical and unusual 1937 Corsica coachwork. It looked a lot better in its grey painted livery.

"Few W.O. Bentleys can claim such a well documented history, and this coupled to spending nearly 60 years of its life with just one family and being bodied by one of the most exotic and exclusive of British coachbuilders must make this car one of the most desirable 6 1/2litres to have survived.

Chassis KD 2106 was originally bodied by Hooper with Coupe coachwork in 1927 before being delivered to first owner Captain JFC Kruse early the following year bearing the registration UC4237. It remained in this form for just 10 years before being rebodied by Corsica, the highly sought after British coachbuilder, with a delightfully elegant and practical All-weather Touring body which the car still carries to this day.

In 1937 KD2106 was sold to Colonel Bevan who retained the car throughout the war, guaranteeing its survival of the ensuing hostilities. Just 2 years after the war in austere post-war Britain it was sold to Colonel Balden and it has remained with the family ever since. The comprehensive history files accompanying the car reveal the dedication with which the family have maintained this important car and numerous and varied events in which they have participated.

In the course of the family's 60 year ownership the car has made trips to Brooklands, for the early reunion meeting in the 1960s, has attended Bentley Drivers Club events as far afield as Aviemore, Scotland and joined the parade of worthy historic cars preceding the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour race. It has also chauffeured such celebrities as Charlton Heston and Koo Stark.

Indeed in keeping KD2106 in regular use a significant sum has been spent maintaining the first class mechanical condition to which it has become accustomed. To this end it is estimated that approximately 40,000 pounds has been spent over the past twenty years. Major works undertaken include a comprehensive engine rebuild in 1991, a major rear axle overhaul and front suspension rebuild. In addition the hood has been renewed, the stunning Corsica coachwork was repainted in a more appropriate shade of British Racing Green and attention paid to engine ancillaries, fuel tank and system and brightwork. Much of the most recent works having been carried out by respected marque specialists R.Moss. Bills and correspondence confirming this work and included in the files alongside such fascination and important documents as the original buff logbooks dating back to 1950 recording the early years of the cars life with the vendor's family. In addition are a plethora of photos depicting KD2106 on various outings over the course of the past half a century.

Having spent over two thirds of its life with just one family, carrying the coachwork which it has borne for all but the first ten years and still carrying its original February 1928 registration number this magnificent motorcar must be one of the finest representatives of this illustrious marques to have survived."

UC 4237 has been in the family since 1951. We see here the daughter of former owner Anthony Balden a long time Bentley enthusiast (BDC member #55!) a few years back, the early eighties maybe. She took over the car from her father at a point that he decided it was time to pass on the steering wheel. The Bentley was in a bright dove-grey livery. In our view a color doing more justice to the very rare All Weather Corsica coachwork to make it stand out in a gathering of a BRG LeMans style tourers. But that issue of course is up to a new owner, now that Mrs. Balden has decided to say farewell to the car at last.