Named for its engine, the 6½-Litre model instantly became the most refined car offered by Bentley. Its revised chassis and greater engine capacity made light work of the heavy limousine bodies favoured by customers of the day and the model became known as a comfortable cruiser. Its development did not stop there, though, as the marque drew on its racing experience to squeeze even more power from the fearsome straight-six. At the behest of Woolf Barnato, a performance derivative of the six-cylinder car was devised, which became known as the Speed Six. Several months of development culminated in a demonstration in late-1928, with the first delivery to Barnato in May 1929.

The example offered here was constructed in 2003 by the noted Bentley specialist David Ayre, as an evocation of the original Speed Six team cars fielded by the Bentley Works squad for the 24-hour race at Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. Its bodywork is built in the style of Vanden Plas, with the dramatic lightweight fabric panelling and lines very faithfully copied, resulting in outstanding performance even with the large, potent engine.

The car was examined in prior ownership by the noted Bentley specialist Tim Houlding, who noted his belief that the cross members and side rails of the chassis are reproduction parts, as is the rear axle casing and aluminium differential casing, steering column, rear shock absorbers, gearbox, and firewall. The engine crankcase is stamped “FR2634” but is likely a reproduction component, as well, as are the sump, valve chest, and its cover, while the intake manifold is an original Speed Six piece, as are the genuine and numbered SU HVG 5 carburettor, magneto, Delco-Remy distributor, and starter. The front axle is stamped “VA 4090”, believed to be from a later 4-Litre, while the stub axles appear to be genuine components.

Altogether the car is true to the appearance and, significantly, the experience of an original example. Regularly maintained for Mr. Richmond-Dodd between his acquisition in 2014 and 2020 by NDR Ltd., with invoices for mechanical work on file, it surely offers unbeatable thrills to the new caretaker who desires to experience the potency of a Speed Six.