Bentley revives its rich history with incredible craftsmanship.
Through its Mulliner division, Bentley unlocks virtually limitless possibilities. Whether it’s special touches and details in cars, limited editions, coachbuilt models, or the painstaking recreation of historical models like the Speed Six, Mulliner elevates Bentley’s luxury, style and automotive excellence in general. However, the century-old manufacturer is on the cusp of opening a new chapter when it comes to the Speed Six Continuation Series, as the first customer car is now being built.
It’s been 93 years since the last customer-spec Speed Six was built, and as Bentley celebrates its rich racing heritage after building 12 examples of the Blower Continuation Series, the “Car Zero” prototype of the Speed Six Continuation Series has completed a rigorous testing cycle, with 40 hours of engine testing, thousands of miles of test driving, and the verification of its 112-mph top speed, which the original car had.
Today, the production of the first client example of the Speed Six Continuation series is underway, and while it’s being made at Mulliner’s state-of-the-art facilities, the car is being produced using techniques and tools that are accurate to the time in which the original was made. Parts throughout the car were painstakingly recreated to echo everything about the original, with period-correct materials, and even 3D models created using the original drawings to revive the legend.
The Speed Six is integral to Bentley’s pedigree, with two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930, and a win in which Bentley’s Chairman at the time, Woolf Barnato, raced the Blue Train from Cannes to Calais in France, and even took the Ferry to London, arriving to the Conservative Club on St. James’ Street four minutes before the Blue Train made it to Calais. With incredible stories and influence that has remained with Bentley to this day, the Speed Six is one of the most important cars the century-old manufacturer has ever made, and the Continuation Series is the greatest way to celebrate its legacy.
Image Source: Bentley