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Following the 6½ Litre released in 1926, Bentley thoroughly updated the design with a more powerful engine. This flagship model was bodied by the best British coachbuilders and also raced with great success alongside the 4½ Litre. It was Walter Owen Bentley's favorite model and became the firms most successful car on the track.

Bentley gained much respect after proving their endurance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and winning many English races including the Tourist Trophy and Brooklands Double 12. In fact, Bentley was at the very first 24 Hours held in 1923, and won the event in 1924, 27, 28, 29 and 30. These later victories were achieved with specially fitted Speed Sixes which was one of Walter Owen Bentley's favorite cars.

The basis for all of Bentley's cars was an engine which in many respects was ahead of its time. Drawing upon experience gained from working at the Great Northern Railway and designing airplane engines, Walter Owen Bentley included such characteristics as aluminum pistons, dry-sump lubrication, twin spark ignition and an advanced valve train in his engines. Early models featured four cylinders and after 1925, Bentley released a straight six which would become his highlight work, and provide necessary power for heavy coachwork and grand touring. Exapnding on the ½ Litre, the main upgrade for a Speed 6 was a square-section intake manifold that increased power from 147 to 160 bhp and later 180 bhp with a slight redesign using a single port.

All Speed Sixes are identified by their parallel-sided radiator and green enamelled badges unlike the standard blue label for the 6½ Litre.

Chassis & Sales

HM2861-1930 Corsica Coupe. Delivered new to Mr J.W. Bealey on September 30th. Participated in Bentley's 50th anniversary celebration at Le Mans in 1980 and was displayed at the 1985 Pebble Beach Concours. Fully restored in 1998, the car was offered for sale with an asking price of $1,850,000 USD at Blackhawk's 2001 Pebble Beach Sale.

SB2773-1929 Cadogen Dual Cowl Tourer. Delivered in December 1929 to Forrest Lycett with new featured the new single-port 180 bhp engine. Restored in the late 1980s and went through the collections of Stanley Mann, Adrian Hamilton and John Mozart. Sold byt RM Auctions at their 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction for $1,815,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

LR2793-1930 Bentley Speed 6 Hooper Tourer. Five-Seat Tourer by Hooper. Still fitted with original body. Originally Plymouth Grey with black fenders. Restored by Moslander's Rod and Custom, located in Monroe, Washington for the display at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours.

FR2637-1929 Bentley Speed Six Park Ward Boattail. Delivered new to Mr. H Donald Hurt in July of 1929. Steamlined body by Park Ward with red trim. Currently with matching numbers engine and original body. Sold by Hageman Motorcars LLC to Arturo Keller and restored for the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours.

KF2399-1929 Bentley Speed 6 Vanden Plas Dual-Cowl Tourer. Delivered new to Bernie Kensington with bodywork from Vanden Plas (1917) Ltd. in Kingsbury. The car was unique in having a semi-recessed spare tire on the rear like the Le Mans 4 1/2 of 1928. Displayed at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours by Arturo & Deborah Keller.

LR2788-1930 Bentley Speed 6 Gurney Nutting Weymann Sportsman's Coupé. Ordered new for Commander Glen Kidston to compete in the 1930 Monte Carlo Rally. The Weymann fabric body is finished with multiple layers of hand-sanded paint called Tole Souple which appears like a metal surface. Unlike many fabric cars, this one retains its original body. Displayed at the 2001 & 2009 Pebble Beach Concours by Joseph & Margie Cassini III.

LR2776-1930 Bentley Speed 6 H.J. Mulliner Drop-Head Coupé. Original Bodywork. First owned by Miss Bingham in London. Sold at Christie's Monaco slae with a tan soft top. Displayed at the 1992 Louis Vuitton Concours. Sold by Hageman Motorcars in 2007 and subsequently restored by P.A. Wood in Essex. Displayed at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours by The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie of the Peninsula Hotel Group.

HM2855-1930 Speed 6 Gurney Nutting Coupé. Wrongly labeled as the 'Blue Train Bentley' for many years when it was depicted beside the Blue Train express between Cannes and Calais in a poster. First ordered by and initially sketched on a napkin by Woolf Barnato. One of the most striking Bentleys and one of the first cars to have a fastback design. Displayed at the 2003 Louis Vuitton Classic, 2002 & 2009 Pebble Beach Concours by Bruce & Jolene McCaw.

Chassis & Sales

1929 Bentley Speed Six Cadogan Dual Cowl Tourer - sold for $1,815,000 The only cadogen bodied speed six dual cowl tourer in existence and delivered new to Forrest Lycett, founding member of the Bentley Drivers Club. Coachwork by Cadogan. carefully restored and prepared by marque specialists, retains its original Cadogan four-seat tourer coachwork.
Gallery: 2006 Monterey Preview

1930 Bentley Speed 6 Corsica Le Mans Tourer SB2775 - sold for €736,710 The car presented here, n° SB 2775, was made in July 1930 with limousine bodywork by Lancefield on this chassis with a 12' 6'' (3.82m) wheelbase; the body was reworked by Corsica as a Le Mans Tourer in 1938. It was acquired by its current owner from the British dealer and Vintage Bentley specialist Stanley Mann in 2002, and has since been regularly driven and maintained. It is a formidable machine, and ready for the road.
Gallery: 2010 Artcurial Sport & GTs au Mans Classic

1929 Bentley Speed Six 'Le Mans' Style Tourer FA2518 - sold for €537,196 Very faithful recreation of the 1930 Le Mans Number 3 team car. Iconic open coachwork in the style of Vanden Plas. Correct, actual 1930 “Speed Six” engine on Big Six chassis. Proven long-distance touring capability as Colorado Grand veteran. Built and maintained by marque specialists.
Gallery: 2011 Salon Privé Auction by RM

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