Bentley has announced that it is to revive its 1920s Le Mans-winning Speed Six model for a strictly-limited production run of twelve cars. The continuation series will, like the 2021 supercharged Bentley "Blower" series, be built by Mulliner Classic, a division within Bentley that specialises in restorations and builds of this type.
Le Mans racer
Like the Blower, the Bentley Speed Six raced at Le Mans in 1929 and 1930, taking the top honours both years in the hands of Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin and Glen Kidston. It took the form of an improved, high-performance version of Bentley's top-of-the-line 6.5-litre model at the time. Because of its racing success, the Speed Six has become one of the best-known models in the company's back catalogue. While the Blowers were supercharged, the Speed Six relied on greater displacement, twin SU carburettors, a higher compression ratio and a performance camshaft to liberate 203hp (in Le Mans trim), which was enough to clock an average speed of 134km/h around the La Sarthe circuit and a new lap record of 7 minutes 21 seconds - 46 seconds faster than before.
In 1930, Barnato bet that not only could he drive from Cannes to Calais in France faster than an express train (the famous Blue Train), but that he could get from Cannes to his club in London before the train had even reached Calais. Driving a Speed Six, he subsequently did so, winning a £100 bet in the process, but being fined a far greater sum by French police. In addition to its Le Mans victories, the exploits of the "Bentley Boys" have given the Speed Six a greater cachet than most pre-war cars. In all, 182 Speed Sixes were built between 1928 and 1930.
Already sold out
For Mulliner's continuation series, the engineering team first created a 3D model of "Old Number 3" one of the three Speed Sixes entered at Le Mans in 1930, a car that is still raced by its owner today despite its enormous value. Another, a 1929 road car that is part of Bentley's own collection, will provide data and references relating to performance and handling characteristics.
Thanks to their rarity and desirability, all twelve Speed Six continuation series cars were already sold ahead of the series' announcement today at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK.
"Fanatical attention to detail"
"After incredible levels of skill were acquired by the Mulliner team through the development of the Blower Continuation Series, and with the success of the cars with their customers, a chance to honour the Speed Six is a fantastic next step," said Bentley boss, Adrian Hallmark.
"It's vital that we protect, preserve and develop not just this important part of our heritage, but also the knowledge we've gained through working with these classic Bentleys. The Speed Six is one of the most important Bentleys in our 103-year history, and the 12 cars of the Continuation Series will embody the same values as W.O. Bentley's originals, crafted by hand with the same meticulous attention to both engineering quality and fanatical attention to detail."
"The lucky owners will be able to race their cars around the world, and truly relive the exploits of the original Bentley Boys."