Vehicle Description
Despite scoring back-to-back wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race
in 1927 and 1928, W.O. Bentley and his star driver Sir "Tim" Birkin
realized those victories were too close for comfort, and the only
way to secure the hat-trick of three victories in a row was to
build a faster, stronger car for 1929. The 4 �-litre model that won
in 1928 may have crossed the line first, but it did so with a
cracked chassis, a bone-dry radiator, and an overheating engine. In
the quest for ever more speed and durability, Birkin proposed they
strip down the 4 �-litre even further and add a supercharger.
However, W.O. Bentley was skeptical of forced induction, and he
felt that the flagship 6 �-liter Standard Six could be developed
into the next winner. Bentley's instinct proved correct, as the new
6 �-litre Speed Six "Old Number One" handily claimed the top step
of the podium at Le Mans in 1929. Many detail changes
differentiated the Standard Six and Speed Six, first of all with
the shorter, 11' 6" wheelbase. Under the bonnet, the big inline-six
received a bump in compression and twin SU HVG5 carburetors,
boosting output from 147 horsepower to an impressive 160. Further
revisions came in 1930, in the form of new cylinder block porting
and manifolds (devised from Old Number One) increasing the output
to a full 180 horsepower. Handing improved with the addition of
Bentley & Draper hydraulic dampers to the rear axle. Depending on
the coachwork, a Standard Six was capable of an incredible 90 mph;
therefore the more powerful Speed Six was a true supercar of its
day, and today is one of the most coveted of all W.O.-era Bentleys.
It is with pride that we offer one of the most extraordinary of all
surviving Speed Sixes, chassis number LR2778 with Sportsman's
Saloon coachwork by H.J. Mulliner. As a 1930 model, this motorcar
incorporates all of Le Mans-inspired improvements, and it wears
marvelous, lightweight and sporty closed coachwork. The history of
LR2778 is truly remarkable; fully documented by the respected
marque historian, Dr. Clare Hay. It retains its original chassis,
engine, drivetrain, and bodywork and has never been significantly
modified. According to the Hay Report, LR2778 was finished at
Cricklewood with a 13/50 rear axle, C-Type gearbox (case #6826),
Bentley & Draper friction front/hydraulic rear dampers and a
chrome-plated radiator. The order also specified chrome fittings,
33 x 7.00 tires, and a rectangular Hobson Telegauge. The powerful
six-cylinder engine bears number NH2748 with an "S" denoting this
as a factory Speed Model. Interestingly, the coachwork was not
built to special order by the first owner; rather, records indicate
it was built for Bentley stock - with the build records noting "Our
Own Body Order." The four-seat coupe coachwork by H.J. Mulliner was
in fashion for the time, with Barker and Gurney Nutting offering
their own variations, known interchangeably as a sportsman's coupe,
close-coupled saloon, or fixed head coupe. For their
interpretation, H.J. Mulliner employed the ultimate refinement of
the patented Weymann technique, utilizing a light, flexible
structure skinned in alloy to the beltline, and in grained
leathercloth on the roof. Light in weight, it no doubt imparted the
powerful Speed Six chassis with breathtaking performance. Records
show the completed car went first to Jack Barclay Ltd. yet was
ultimately sold by Duff Morgan Ltd. on October 17, 1930, and
exported to India very soon after on behalf of its first owner, the
Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Man Singh II. Just eighteen years of age
when he purchased his magnificent Bentley, Singh no doubt had
impeccable taste in motorcars. The young Maharaja was an avid
sportsman, with an impressive record in polo, winning the World Cup
in 1933. Despite assuming power at just 11 years old, the Maharaja
was no mere playboy, and he matured into an astute politician. His
efforts to build infrastructure and modernize his home of Jaipur
later led to its selection as the capital of Rajasthan, and later,
he then served as Ambassador to Spain. The choice of this stunning
Bentley reflected his exceptional taste and love of sport. Records
indicate the car remained in India through at least 1935, and most
likely until two years later. The next entry appeared when it was
registered as DUU618 for the new owner, Denis Becker of London.
Documents indicate The Maharaja may have consigned the car to
Barker's London showroom, where Becker purchased it in 1937. In the
Becker family's hands, the Speed Six underwent some servicing
including fitment of a new-old-stock front axle in 1938.
Inexperienced Indian mechanics may have damaged the original. Also,
while in India, the car sported a flamboyant Lalique crystal
cockerel mascot, likely transferred to another of the Maharaja's
vehicles before the sale. Replacing it was a dolphin mascot fitted
by Mr. Becker, no doubt a nod to his wife, Delphine. In 1942, the
Speed Six was still with the Becker family, reportedly with Geo
Becker. There is even mention of his fifteen-year-old daughter Jane
learning to drive in it, with one lesson ending with her putting
the mighty Bentley on top of a roundabout! Like many large classic
cars of the time, LR2778 was put up during the war when petrol
rationing meant virtually all private automobiles were rendered
useless. In 1946, the LR2778 was relicensed under a new business
name - yet still within the Becker clan. Young Simon Becker
inherited the car and became its next long-term owner, enjoying it
to the fullest while also acting as a fine custodian and ensuring
its long-term survival. In 1954, Simon entered LR2778 in a Bentley
Driver's Club meet, handily winning his group and proving the car
had lost none of its performance. The first rebuild followed later
in 1954 and Simon continued to use the car regularly, using it for
Grand Touring around Europe and even employing it as his daily
driver for some time. The car was a regular fixture around London
even as the value and running costs began to mount. In 1974, after
thirty-seven years in the Becker family and another refresh of the
cosmetics, Simon Becker consigned LR2778 to a Christie's auction,
where it sold for �17,500. The new owner, Ian Finlator, handed the
car to Tony Townshend in 1978 for a ground-up restoration. As was
typical of the period, some minor detail changes were made, and
while not to today's exacting standards, it was nonetheless a
comprehensive project. The livery was changed again, the green body
sides it wore during the entire tenure of the Becker family changed
to dark red; however, it retained the black wings and bonnet that
the car has worn since new. Finlator enjoyed the Speed Six for many
years to come, including on the 1985 Rallye Monte Carlo historic,
and it making occasional appearances at BDC concours events
throughout Britain in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1994, LR2778 was
chosen as the representative British car for the opening of the
Channel Tunnel rail line and displayed proudly alongside a Bugatti
Royale at the Place de Defense in Paris. After thirty years of
ownership, Ian Finlator sold LR2778 to a German collector, and by
2010 it returned to the UK via famed dealer P&A Wood. Shortly
thereafter, the current owner acquired the car and commenced a
no-expense-spared restoration to original H.J. Mulliner
specification with the renowned Vintage Bentley specialist Graham
Moss of R.C. Moss. Before the start of the painstakingly researched
restoration, Clare Hay inspected the car and found it to be a
remarkably sound and original car, with the front axle being the
only significant component changed (by Bentley in 1938). The
engine, gearbox, clutch assembly, and rear axle were all found to
be original to this car. As specified i...for more information
please contact the seller.
