BENTLEY MARK VI ‘NEW LOOK’ | 1 OF 3 BY JAMES YOUNG
Few post-war Bentleys capture the optimism of late-1940s Britain quite like the James Young “New Look” on the Mark VI chassis. Built in tiny numbers—just three two-door saloons—this streamlined coachbuilt Bentley stands apart not only for its rarity but for its bold, almost concept-car styling that previewed the softer, more aerodynamic lines of the 1950s.
WHAT WAS THE 'NEW LOOK'?
James Young of Kent—one of Britain’s most respected coachbuilders—unveiled the “New Look” as a radical alternative to Crewe’s Standard Steel Saloon. Its design language was all about clean flow and visual lightness: fully faired-in front wings (fenders), rear wheel “spats” (flush covers to smooth airflow), an ultra-low roofline, and notably little brightwork. The result was a long, unbroken sweep from the Bentley grille through to the tail—decidedly modern for 1948 and unlike almost anything else on UK roads at the time. The “New Look” saloon was catalogued as James Young design number C10M.
THE CHASSIS BENEATH
Under the skin, the “New Look” is a Mark VI—Bentley’s first full post-war model and the company’s first to be offered as a complete car. Early 4¼-litre F-head (overhead inlet, side exhaust) six-cylinder engines combine smooth torque with near-silent manners; the independent front suspension and hydraulic front brakes were advanced for the day and helped deliver the supple, unflustered ride Bentley buyers expected.
EARLS COURT STAR
One of the “New Look” cars—chassis B495CD—was displayed on James Young’s stand at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, where it caused a stir among press and public. Yet despite the warm reception, the design remained ultra-limited: only three two-door saloons were built. Post-war austerity, high coachbuilding costs, and the growing popularity of the factory-bodied Standard Steel Saloon all conspired to keep production vanishingly small. Today, that scarcity is a cornerstone of the model’s allure.
DESIGN DETAILS COLLECTORS LOVE
- Swept-back wings and spats: These reduce visual mass and hint at streamlining trends then blossoming on the Continent. (“Spats” cover the rear wheel opening for a smoother side profile.)
- Minimal chrome: Unlike many contemporaries, the New Look’s restraint puts the form first—more sculpture than ornament.
- Cabin craftsmanship: Period touches include delicately engineered quarter-lights, beautifully figured veneers, and bespoke fittings (even purpose-made glassware in some examples).
ON THE ROAD
Expect the quintessential Bentley character: effortless torque, near-silent progress, and a supple ride. The Mark VI’s independent front suspension (coil springs and wishbones) and improved braking make it a relaxed grand tourer by modern classic standards—especially compared with pre-war cars. And because James Young bodies were typically aluminium over seasoned ash, you get a lighter, more responsive feel than the factory steel saloon, without sacrificing refinement.
WHY THE 'NEW LOOK' MATTERS
The James Young “New Look” is more than a pretty face; it’s a design pivot. In an era still defined by rationing and rebuild, it signalled the end of pre-war formality and the start of something sleeker and more optimistic. That it exists in such microscopic numbers only heightens the sense that you’re looking at a coachbuilt manifesto—a moment when British craftsmanship and post-war modernism briefly, brilliantly aligned.