Among the array of Vintage Bentley models, the Speed Six is held in the highest regard, with W.O. Bentley himself describing it as “the most successful sporting car we made.” Speed Six lore is legendary – from its October 1928 debut at the Olympia Motor Show, to Woolf Barnato and the Blue Train saga, to back-to-back Le Mans victories in 1929 and 1930. But absolute speed was only half of the Speed Six equation, as the manner in which its raw power was delivered instilled a level of driver confidence unmatched by competitors. Period Bentley advertising promised speed, comfort, and reliability.

The Speed Six was the natural evolution of the 6.5-litre model, benefiting from a higher compression ratio and twin carburetors. Mechanical upgrades for cars built for 1930 included a revised intake manifold and Bosch magneto with horsepower now reaching 180. Just 182 Speed Six models were built during its two-year production run, with three chassis lengths offered in order to accommodate stunning coachwork ranging from Le Mans tourers to formal saloons.

Some cars are so frequently copied, and the copies are so abundant, that their production often seems far greater than it actually was. Such is the case with this original Vanden Plas Bentley Speed Six. This elite example belongs to a vanishingly small cadre of original cars. Better still, owing to the survival of both Bentley and Vanden Plas records on file, we know that 96 years later, this car remains remarkably in much the same condition as it was when it left the works.

Vanden Plas built body no. 1668 for Bentley Motors, designed to fit on the Speed Six. This example, chassis LR2781, was distributed to agent Henry Garner Ltd., who sold the car to its first owner, J. Dibble. Scaled perfectly for its 11' 8 ½" wheelbase, and constructed to design no. 519, the architecture of LR2781 is a more luxurious take on the factory race cars of its day. It features dual-cowl coachwork, with twin spare wheels mounted at the rear end and handsomely shrouded – a subtle nod to the factory “Bobtail” racers.

The Vanden Plas records note that the body panels were trimmed in dark green fabric, with the hood (folding top), side curtains, and tonneau cover made to match. The bonnet sides were also fabric, but with painted top panels – originally accompanied by a paint sample to which the upholstery could be matched. The bonnet and wings were to match the body color, with the chassis cellulosed in light green to match the upholstery – both in Dockers paint.

Ordered on March 20, 1930, with a request that the body be finished by “end May certain,” the car was impressively completed in the requested time frame with the carefully crafted workmanship of Vanden Plas. They charged a not inconsiderable £340 for the deadline, allowing a discount of £2.25 for not covering the top of the bonnet. The car was tested at Bentley Motors on May 30, 1930, and factory records note it to have been fitted with engine no. LR2787, C-type gearbox no. 6828, and a 13:50 rear-axle ratio, with its ride cushioned by Bentley & Draper friction and hydraulic shock absorbers.

The car’s first owner, J. Dibble, was a prominent builder and landlord based in Moseley, a suburb of Birmingham, England. Mr. Dibble ensured that LR2781 remained under the service and maintenance auspices of Bentley Motors throughout his ownership, during which time it received the latest type of front-axle bed. In 1937, the car found its second owner in B.E. Vigers of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. By 1945, the car had passed to L.G.C. Tampre, and then to P.A.H. Wood in 1949. The car remained in England until 1962, when it migrated to New Zealand and into the custody of Alfred Secombe. Nearly 20 years later, Stan Lucas acquired the car in 1980.

Mr. Lucas kept the car in New Zealand for the next 10 years, enjoying the Speed Six during his occasional visits before importing the car to the US in 1990. During Mr. Lucas’ ownership, the car spent time with Jim Stranberg at High Mountain Classics in Colorado, and received considerable mechanical attention, including an engine rebuild and servicing of the radiator and cooling systems, with the aim of making it a usable tour car. While this was a significant investment, Mr. Lucas was never fully satisfied with its running condition, and the car may still need attention to reach prime touring condition.

Today, the car remains an extremely original example of both chassis and bodywork. The majority of its numbered components, including the chassis, engine, and steering box, are all plainly stamped and consistent with its build. Further, its body number (1668) can still be found marked on the floorboards of the car, confirming them to be original. Interestingly, its rear license plate mount is numbered “1666” – likely a mis-stamp.

This 1930 Bentley Speed Six Tourer is not only an incredibly rare item, with its original build – it has also been off the radar of the Bentley community for almost all of its life, making it a thrilling discovery. Never having been publicly sold, today provides an exceptional opportunity to own a truly special Vintage Bentley – one that characterizes the marque’s bold, imposing build from this era, as well as its exceptional commitment to performance.

Whether carefully preserved or treated to sympathetic refurbishment, the true reward lies on the open road. Sooner or later, the next owner will find themselves behind the wheel, gazing out over the long hood as a tidal wave of torque surges forward – likely wearing the sort of grin only a Speed Six can provoke.