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Often confused with the Speed 6, the 6½ Litre was Bentley's first large-displacement, six-cylinder car. The new engine was necessary to bolster the image of Bentley beyond rivals of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz. Furthermore, the six-cylinder unit ran much smoother than the 6½.

The new engine was very advanced, using aluminum pistons and a unique valvetrain that employed the use of three crankshafts. While complex, this system was much quieter than the outgoing 6½ Litre.
Although intended for luxury, the advanced engine was raced with great success in the Speed 6.

To keep pace with the larger engine, the chassis was upgraded. Larger disc brakes were fitted with finned aluminum drums.

The first 6½ appeared as a bare chassis at the 1925 Olympia Motor Show, but it would take over a year to launch the car. During this period the engine was thorougly tested and bored out to 6,597cc before market launch.

Chassis & Sales

TW2713-926 Bentley 6½ Litre Surbiton Sport Coupé. Retains Original Engine, Chassis, and Coachwork. First delivered in April 1927 to Mr. S.E. Parkes in the UK. Later upgraded to Speed Six specifications that included dual carburetors and uprated cylinder blocks. Shipped to America in the 1980s. TW2713 had a new owner in Australia who commissioned a full mechanical restoration to the highest standards. Sold at Gooding & Co's 2010 Scottsdale Auction for $660,000 USD.