• Exhibited by Bentley at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show
• Known ownership history since new; extensively documented by marque expert Dr. Clare Hay
• Wears a non-period Le Mans Tourer-style body, fitted under previous ownership in the 1990s

Created at the urging of Bentley Motors chairman Woolf Barnato, the Speed Six was the sportier derivative of the massive and potent 6½-Litre. Thanks to a thorough host of mechanical upgrades, the model exhibits performance above and beyond its sibling by incredible measure.

In fact, Speed Sixes proved so dominant at Le Mans in 1929 that they were instructed to slow their pace to touring speed for the final few hours on route to victory. They returned to Le Mans in 1930, repeating the same feat down to the “slow finish”, marking Bentley’s fourth consecutive victory at the world’s greatest endurance race. Mechanical updates continued over the model’s production, and by late 1930 the Speed Six’s engine had been uprated to 180 brake horsepower.

Chassis configured very similarly to the Le Mans cars were released to private owners and fitted with remarkable custom coachwork. Today, a Le Mans-specification Speed Six is inarguably one of the most desirable of all pre-war Bentleys.

As documented by the extensive research of marque expert Dr. Clare Hay (full report on file), this exceptional 1930 Speed Six was originally configured as a Weymann Saloon by H.J. Mulliner for display on Bentley’s stand at the Olympia Motor Show on 18 October 1929. After its debut, chassis SB2751 was subsequently sold new to Walter Gordon Sykes via dealer Jack Barclay and registered as “GK 2472” in December 1930. The car then passed through three interceding owners before entering the stable of William Nicholson in 1954, with whom it would remain for the next 51 years.

Following the passing of Mr. Nicholson in 1995, the car was rebodied with the current Le Mans Tourer specification body. Per Hay’s inspection, the car’s current single-port engine remains thoroughly original and correct, though the crankcase “FW2603” is a replacement sourced from an earlier 6½-Litre. Other than the differential nose piece, and the front axle, which was originally fitted to a Blower Bentley, this Bentley remains largely mechanically original throughout.

Since entering the consignor’s distinguished collection in 2016, this genuine and well-documented Speed Six has been enjoyed at major events such as Schloss Dyck Classic Days. This Bentley offers its future owner the exciting opportunity to either get behind the wheel of a legendary model, or return an important ex-motor show Bentley to its period configuration.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ve23.