Many automotive enthusiasts develop their passion from a young age, often inspired by scale models, posters, or childhood memories of legendary cars. For the owner of the third Bentley Speed Six Continuation Series, this passion was ignited by a small ‘Models of Yesteryear’ Blower Bentley toy gifted by his uncle. Decades later, that cherished model has now manifested into a full-scale masterpiece, crafted by Mulliner Classic with meticulous attention to detail.
A Personal Connection to Bentley’s Racing Legacy
This Speed Six is not just any car—it is a continuation of Bentley’s historic Le Mans-winning model, handcrafted by Mulliner Classic as part of a limited 12-unit production. What makes #3 truly special is its deep-rooted personal significance to its owner. Having been a long-time Bentley collector, his garage already houses an impressive lineup, including a first-generation Continental GT, the motorsport-inspired Continental GT3R, a second-generation Continental Supersports, a First Edition Bentayga, and even another Continuation Series Blower Bentley.
The Speed Six, like the Blower, is the third model in its series, mirroring the owner’s deep appreciation for Bentley’s heritage. Furthermore, the number 3 on its radiator and bodywork is no coincidence—it represents the number he wore during his semi-professional rugby career as a tighthead prop.
A Unique Specification Honoring Family Ties
Every detail of this Speed Six was carefully chosen to reflect the owner’s passion and family legacy. The car’s custom paint finish, ‘Embelo Green,’ is a tribute to his three daughters, incorporating the first letters of their names. This unique shade was specifically developed to sit between the light green of his childhood toy Bentley and traditional British Racing Green.
Inside, the cabin is upholstered in a muted red, another homage to the toy model that first sparked his fascination with Bentley’s pre-war racers. The finishing touches include a white identification patch on the front fender, designed to assist with quick recognition in the pits, and a hand-painted Union Flag on the driver’s side, reinforcing its racing pedigree.
Built for the Road and the Track
Unlike many collectible classics that remain in storage, this Speed Six is built to be driven. As an enthusiast who actively enjoys his Bentleys, the owner requested an additional silenced exhaust system to comply with track noise regulations, in addition to the unsilenced setup for a raw, period-correct experience. Bentley Mulliner’s engineering team specifically designed this feature for the Continuation Series, ensuring both authenticity and usability.
A Hands-On Journey with Mulliner
Commissioning a bespoke Mulliner Classic Bentley is an immersive experience, and this owner took full advantage of it. A skilled craftsman himself, he previously spent a day at the Mulliner workshop assisting in the fitment of his Blower Bentley’s Weymann-style bodywork. While he was unable to personally contribute to the Speed Six’s construction due to work commitments, his involvement throughout the process ensured every detail was executed to perfection.
The Speed Six: A Racing Legend Reborn
Originally introduced in 1928 as a high-performance variant of the Bentley 6½ Litre, the Speed Six became one of the brand’s most celebrated racing cars. With twin SU carburetors, a higher compression ratio, and a high-performance camshaft, it dominated endurance racing, securing back-to-back victories at Le Mans in 1929 and 1930.
For the Continuation Series, Mulliner Classic relied on two original Speed Six models as reference: Bentley’s own GU409 and ‘Old Number 3,’ which competed in the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours. The latter was generously loaned by its current owner, providing invaluable data on dimensions, materials, and period-correct components. Additional historical accuracy was ensured through collaboration with the W.O. Bentley Memorial Foundation, which supplied 80% of the original technical drawings.
This painstaking dedication to authenticity ensures that the Speed Six Continuation is not just a tribute but a true reincarnation of Bentley’s golden age of motorsport.
Summary of Bentley Speed Six Continuation #3
- Model: Bentley Speed Six Continuation Series #3
- Production: Limited to 12 units, handcrafted by Mulliner Classic
- Exterior: Bespoke ‘Embelo Green’ paint finish
- Interior: Custom red upholstery inspired by the owner’s childhood Bentley model
- Special Features: Racing number 3, white identification patch, hand-painted Union Flag
- Exhaust Options: Dual system with silenced and unsilenced configurations
- Historical Reference: Based on original Le Mans-winning Speed Six models
This Speed Six is more than just a car—it’s the realization of a lifelong dream, proving that childhood passions can evolve into breathtaking automotive masterpieces.
Source: Bentley
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
