The MkVI was Bentley's first truly modern post-war design and quite significantly, it marked the first time in the history of the marque that a fully factory-built car could be bought right off of a showroom floor. Prior to the MkVI, both Bentley and its parent company Rolls-Royce supplied buyers and dealers with a running chassis only, relying on independent coachbuilders to handle the bodywork. But with the MkVI the new Standard Steel Saloon body (manufactured by Pressed Steel, Ltd) offered buyers a handsome, albeit conservatively styled motorcar at a more affordable price than traditional custom coachwork. Of course, for the more well-heeled clients who wished for something a bit more bespoke, Bentley remained more than happy to oblige in supplying a chassis to any number of traditional coachbuilders.