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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

1927 Bentley 6½ Litre Surbiton Sport Coupé TW2713 - sold for $781,000 Originally built to standard six and a half liter specifications, TW2713 has been updated to Speed Six configuration, including the proper cylinder blocks and twin carburetor setup as designed by porting expert Harry Weslake. While such updates were often performed by the factory, there are no records to indicate when the work was done, or who was responsible for it.
Gallery: 2006 Monterey Preview

1926 Bentley 6½ Litre Motor Bodies Coupe WT2271 - did not sell for $600,000 Supreme Champion Award Winner. A Remarkably Original 6 1/2-Litre Bentley, Fully Upgraded to Speed Six Specifications by the Factory and Still Wearing Its Original Coachwork. Part of the Highly Regarded Reg Parker Collection for Almost 20 Years. Beautiful Presentation of a Most Significant Bentley Motorcar. Remarkably, this car retains its original Coupe body by Motor Bodies of Newcastle and is one of only a handful of 6 1/2-litre models sti... more
Gallery: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

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