1930 Bentley Speed Six Blue Train Tourer

Woolf Barnato took delivery of the original 'Blue Train' 6½-Litre Speed Six. The legend of the Blue Train was derived from the French express train, which Barnato had succeeded in beating from Cannes to London in an earlier Speed Six.

The Blue Train had streamlined fastback styling carried out by J. Gurney Nutting to Barnato's suggestions. The original 'Blue Train' remains extant and housed in one of the world's finest collections.

This particular example is a recreation built by Bob Petersen Engineering of Beaworthy Mill, England. It was commissioned by Gary Wales and was built using as many genuine Rolls and Bentley components as possible, including a Phantom Iframe (number 32TC) and a Bentley B81 inline eight-cylinder engine. It has a front-mounted supercharger, of Petersen's own design but inspired by the Amherst Villiers 'blower' used on the racing Bentleys of Barnato and others. The engine is fitted with two SU carburetors, specially cast to a correct period design with a 2½-inch throat, as were used on supercharged racing cars of the era such as the ERA.

The body is finished in black has Weymann-style synthetic leather paneling, and dressed with Marchal headlamps, an off-center driving lamp, a black-lacquered stone guard, and exposed supercharger SU pots behind the badge bar. An imposing and distinctive bulldog radiator mascot is located at the front of the vehicle. The rear boasts period-correct 'diver's helmet' stopping lights and brake/trafficator lights. Each door handle is carved from a single piece of billet aluminum.

Inside, there is veneered trim and a pair of grey leather bucket seats, facing a turned aluminum dashboard.

Mr. Wales sold this car in 2006 and it joined the Orin Smith collection where it has remained ever since. Currently the odometer shows 5,378 miles.

It was shown at the 2015 Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded the Grand Marshal Award. It was also exhibited at the Ocean Reef Club Vintage Weekend that same year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017