Without Bentley’s continuation project, the last Speed Six roadster would have left the factory 93 years ago. The company has, however, decided to build a handful of its historic models as brand new cars, built in the UK using original processes and materials.
It started with a dozen classic 4.5-liter “Blower” Bentleys, completed last year, now the automaker is recreating the same amount of 6.5-liter Speed Six models. The process requires dozens of craftsmen still familiar with classical techniques to construct the cars as they would have been in the pre-war period.
Before you search for the millions buried in your couch cushions, all new Speed Six continuation cars are pre-sold. Either way, Bentley doesn’t give a price. It would be horrible.
In order to make these cars, the automaker assembled a team of craftsmen and engineers tasked with recreating every part of the reborn automobiles, but not from scratch. Bentley still has a few Speed Sixes in its inventory that serve as templates for new components. This makes the process easier, but the parts still need to be cast, machined, bolted, stretched and sewn. Bentley claims to have had to manufacture more than 600 new custom parts just for the engine new cars, which are currently being tested on the bench.
The first prototype car is already completed and is undergoing durability testing to ensure all new parts will hold up. The 205 horsepower engine ran for 40 hours on the dyno, the car traveled over 6,000 miles and reached 112 miles per hour, just like the originals.
A total of 182 Speed Sixes were made between 1928 and 1930. By the end of 2025, there will be 194.
