Bentley Launches First Speed Six Continuation Series to the US: A Legacy Revived
Bentley has completed the inaugural Speed Six Continuation Series car and is ready for its first shipment to the USA. This marks the first delivery of a new Bentley Speed Six since 1930. Long-standing Mulliner client John Breslow will receive this first model for his Blower Continuation Series as a racing partner.
Commissioned over a year ago, this meticulously designed Speed Six shines in Parsons Napier Green, paired with a black-painted chassis. The car's front features iconic twin round headlamps, chrome-finished with protective mesh, and a prominent radiator displaying the number '4'.
Constructed entirely by hand, each vehicle requires eight months of detailed workmanship. Mulliner’s skilled technicians collaborate closely with specialist suppliers across the UK, ensuring every component of the original Speed Six is recreated precisely.
The car's interior remains true to its heritage, mirroring the original Speed Sixes that claimed victory at Le Mans in 1930. The cockpit features deep brown leather with vivid red tones, complementing the rustic leather and carpet that seamlessly match the Parsons Napier Green exterior.
At the project’s onset, the Mulliner Classic team visited the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, to confirm the five authentic period Parsons Paints available to customers. Over 600 new parts were created for the new 6½ Litre race-spec engine, initially capable of 200 bhp. Current dyno tests show the Continuation Series engines now achieve 205 bhp, with the potential for higher outputs thanks to modern engineering techniques.
The Speed Six stands as one of Bentley’s most iconic vehicles, epitomising the peak of Bentley's racing history. Produced using the same techniques as in the late 1920s, this model is Mulliner’s second pre-war Continuation Series.
The Blower Continuation Series, the first of its kind, was meticulously assembled using modern technology and original blueprints. Data for these replicas was sourced from the 1929 4½-litre supercharged Team Car #2, a standout in the Bentley Heritage Collection.
The Bentley Blower, known for its exceptional speed that challenged Mercedes-Benz at the 1930 Le Mans, contrasts the Speed Six's reputation for reliable performance.
In tribute to Bentley's inaugural Le Mans victory in 1924, the Benjafield Racing Club recently held a 24-hour endurance race at Portugal's Algarve circuit. The event featured 25 period Bentleys, driven by 87 club members, including a Blower Continuation Series car. This event marked a milestone as the first factory-built Blower to complete a 24-hour race, underscoring Bentley's Continuation Series's exceptional quality and endurance.
