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Based on the post-war 'standard steel' Mk VI Bentley, Radford's dual-purpose huntin', shootin' and fishin' machines were the first upmarket hatches. The first eight were actually half-timbered estate cars, bereft of any form of rear seat and thus qualifying as commercial vehicles. This was crafty, as commercials were exempt from purchase tax at the time in the UK. As this tax was running at 66 per cent in 1948, the advantages were obvious, although, technically, commercials were limited to 30 mph.
The 1951 Mk 2 version was a little more civilised. It was really a saloon - similar to the standard Mk VI - with a split two-piece door and split rear seat, half of which folded to increase the load area. It was intended as a car for horsey, sporting toffs to use on a day at the races, with its bespoke picnic hampers, wash basin, kettle and flasks in special compartments in the doors.
Only a handful were sold, but enough to encourage Hammersmith-based Harold Radford to offer a similar conversion on the later Silver Cloud - the 'Safari Car' - of which only two were made.
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