1926 Bentley 6.5 Litre LeMans Tourer

The Bentley 6 1/2 Litre brought the company back-to-back LeMans victories in Speed Six specification. The Big Six, as the 6 1/2 was referred to in period, was an evolution and development of Bentley's three-liter engine. It was designed to carry heavier and more luxurious bodies that customers demanded. They were first shown at the London Motor Show of 1925 and deliveries to customers began by March of 1926. During its five years of production, a total of 545 examples were built.

This particular example currently wears a replica Le Mans Sports body in the style of Vanden Plas. It built at Bentley's Cricklewood factory in suburban London, and was first registered YR 7463 in London on November 29, 1926. It is an early example and one of the initial 58 examples built. It was given the standard 12/50 axle and clothed in landaulette coachwork by Harrison. Its first owner was John F.C. Inglefield. In March of 1928, it is believed to have been updated to 1928 specifications. It received further work in November of 1929 (at the time having covered 12,242 miles), including decarbonizing the engine, and fitment of a new 'heavy type' front axle.

In 1950, the car was acquired by G.W.S. Clark of England. He would retain the car for over a decade, selling it in 1961 to D.M. Tindall. Around the 1950s, the car was re-bodied with a replica of the Vanden Plas body used for the LeMans Team cars. The work was performed by Elmdown Vintage Automobiles of Hungerford.

The car would pass through several more individuals until it was purchased by Geoffrey A.W. Farrell in 1972. Mr. Farrell would retain the car for many years, selling it in 1997 to Richard Harwood. Mr. Harwood sold it to its current caretaker in 2000.

The current owner commissioned work on the 6 1/2 Litre in preparation for the 2001 Classic Malts Tour of Scotland. Since then, it has been driven on the Bentley Drivers Club West Coast Prewar Tour, the Colorado Grand on two occassions, and the Copperstate 1000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2017