UK vs UK — 1946 vs 1949
| Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon | Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 130 hp | 130 hp |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 4,257 cc | 4,566 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 15.2 sec | 16.0 sec |
| Top Speed | 95 mph | 92 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 20.1 sec | 20.5 sec |
| Weight | 3,920 lbs | 3,998 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 3,048 mm | 3,048 mm |
| Length | 4,877 mm | 4,877 mm |
| Units Produced | 5,208 | 760 |
| Value (Excellent) | $180,000 | $300,000 |
| Collectibility | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Rarity | 6/10 | 8/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1946 Bentley Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon brings quicker acceleration, higher top speed, better value to the table, and the 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe answers with greater rarity, stronger collectibility. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
In the world of Luxury Sedan cars, few comparisons generate as much discussion as the 1946 Bentley Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon versus the 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe. Both hail from Post-war and represent the pinnacle of their respective manufacturers' ambitions. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1946 Bentley Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon producing 130 hp and the 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe delivering 130 hp. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1946 Bentley Mk VI Standard Steel Saloon edges ahead at 15.2 seconds versus 16.0 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 760 units built, the 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe is considerably scarcer than the Bentley Mk VI's 5,208 examples.