Bentley Speed Six
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| Bentley Speed Six | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Bentley Speed Six |
| Manufacturer | Bentley Motors Limited |
| Production | 1928–1930 |
| Assembly | Cricklewood, London |
| Body style | Coachbuilt touring, coupé, saloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 6.5 L straight-six (6¾ L twin-overhead-valve) — factory designation "Speed Six" |
| Predecessor | Bentley 6½ Litre |
| Successor | Bentley 8 Litre |
Bentley Speed Six The Bentley Speed Six is a high-performance automobile produced by Bentley Motors Limited between 1928 and 1930. Conceived under the ownership of W. O. Bentley and launched during the stewardship of Woolf Barnato, the car became notable for its competition successes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, prestigious coachbuilt bodies by firms such as H. J. Mulliner and Gurney Nutting, and clientele drawn from aristocracy and industrialists across Europe and North America.
Development and Design
Development began as an evolution of the Bentley 6½ Litre, driven by competition between W. O. Bentley and rivals like Riley and Sunbeam. Engineering aimed to improve power and reliability for endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia. Chassis, suspension, and braking drew on advances from continental Europe and British bespoke coachbuilding traditions practiced by Vanden Plas, Park Ward, and James Young. The design process involved factory testing at private tracks and public circuits including Brooklands and collaboration with sporting patrons like Woolf Barnato and drivers from Bentley Boys circles. Styling reflected coachbuilder aesthetics influenced by Art Deco elements present in contemporaneous Rolls-Royce Limited commissions.
Technical Specifications
The Speed Six used an enlarged version of the 6½ Litre's engine, stroked and bored to produce roughly 6.5 to 7.0 litres displacement with an overhead valve valvetrain designed by W. O. Bentley. The powertrain featured a three-speed manual gearbox with sturdy final drive components developed to withstand long-distance competition at venues like Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps. Chassis members were ladder-frame steel with semi-elliptic leaf springs and dampers comparable to systems used by Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz racing cars of the era. Braking employed large drum brakes operated mechanically, later improved following lessons from events at Goodwood and Donington Park. Electrical equipment was supplied by British vendors employed by contemporaries such as Austin and Standard, while instrumentation mirrored those on Rover and Lagonda vehicles.
Racing History
The Speed Six achieved fame through victories at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930, driven by pairings including Woolf Barnato and B. D. 'Ben' Cummings alongside private entrants from Bentley Motors and independent teams. These wins reinforced Bentley's reputation against competition from Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, and Mercedes-Benz entries. Privateer campaigns contested endurance events across Europe including Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, and national hillclimb and sprint meetings at circuits such as Brooklands and Shelsley Walsh. Drivers associated with the Speed Six included members of the Bentley Boys like Tim Birkin, Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin (note: same person), George Duller, and Dario Resta who also raced for teams like Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq. The car's competition record influenced rule changes and sporting regulations promulgated by organizations like the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
Production and Models
Approximately 182 chassis were produced, many bodied by coachbuilders such as H. J. Mulliner, Gurney Nutting, Vanden Plas, Park Ward, H. J. Mulliner & Co., and Freestone and Webb. Factory and independent bodiers offered variants including four-seater tourers, two-seater sports models, aerodynamic closed coupes, and bespoke saloons commissioned by patrons like Woolf Barnato and continental customers from France, Germany, and United States. Notable individual cars include works entries campaigned at Le Mans and private examples later preserved in collections like those of the Imperial War Museum and prominent private registries in United Kingdom and United States. Production overlapped with corporate events including acquisition by investors and the later sale of Bentley Motors to Rolls-Royce Limited.
Performance and Reception
On the road and track the Speed Six was praised for torque, durability, and high-speed stability at venues such as Brooklands and during continental touring across the European continent. Contemporary periodicals and commentators from outlets like The Autocar, The Motor, and The Times lauded its Le Mans victories and engineering pedigree associated with W. O. Bentley and Woolf Barnato. Owners included figures from aristocracy and finance sectors who commissioned bespoke coachwork from firms such as Cartier clients and fashionable London ateliers. The Speed Six's legacy influenced later Bentley models and stands as a touchstone in British motorsport history, preserved in museums, collections, and vintage racing events such as Goodwood Revival and historic Le Mans Classic meetings.
Category:Bentley vehicles Category:Vintage vehicles Category:24 Hours of Le Mans winning cars