1950 Bentley Speed 8 by Racing Green

Highlights

Incredible Racing Green recreation of the iconic Speed Six
Sparing use since evocation completed
Highly detailed and remains in impeccable condition
Bentley Drivers’ Club authentication and valuation
Long MOT to May 2024 with no advisories
Rare opportunity to acquire homage to one of Bentley’s greatest cars

The Appeal

In July 2023 Bentley announced that it would start making the Speed Six again. But just 12 would be built. 93 years after the originals pummelled the opposition into submission around Le Mans in the hands of the Bentley Boys, the news was welcomed by enthusiasts.

It is hard to overstate the role of the Speed Six in Bentley’s development. Big and brutally quick, its success was not just an engineering triumph, it was a mark of the commitment, skill and fearlessness of Barnato, Birkin and Kidston. The combination of those two themes is key to the Bentley brand.

For those who miss out on the 12 new Speed Sixes there is Racing Green, the Carmarthenshire Bentley specialist that has been building its own recreation, called the Speed 8, for several years. Carefully constructed over many months to accurately replicate the build and specification of the factory cars, these expensive cars are rare and highly sought after.

This is one of them. It is so utterly gorgeous that it is hard to decide whether to drive it or simply admire it. With just 2,200 miles covered since it was completed in 2011 - using a Mk VI chassis - it is in impeccable condition, supported by a long MOT with no advisories. Vintage British classics surely do not get more beguiling and exciting than this.

The History and Paperwork

DVLA records record first registration as 1st November 1983
We are told that it is built on a 1950 Mk VI chassis
Bentley Drivers’ CLub authentication and valuation documentation included
Built in 2011 by Racing Green to their carefully detailed Speed 8 specification
Has covered less than 2,200 miles since the conversion
Racing Green has 40 years experience restoring Bentleys
We are told that it has been used as a family leisure car since 2011
MOT to 31st May 2024 with no advisories
Has only covered 3 miles since the last MOT test
DVLA notes a colour change on 20th January 2011 from the original black to green

The Speed Six was conceived in 1924 as a larger, more powerful chassis onto which Bentley’s customers could place the bigger limousine bodies that they increasingly seemed to prefer. To prove its worth the firm took it racing where it won the Le Mans 24hrs in 1929 and 1930 in the hands of the Bentley Boys.

Just 182 Speed Six models were ever built but the car’s legend lived far larger than its production numbers. Its visceral performance and the derring-do of its racing drivers are where the modern day Bentley brand began.

Carmarthenshire Bentley restoration specialist Racing Green recognised that far more enthusiasts wanted a Speed Six than the tiny production volumes could support. This led to the firm developing the Speed 8 to give customers the opportunity to experience the original. These highly detailed cars use proprietary Bentley chassis onto which Racing Green adds carefully wrought bodies that replicate the Speed Six aesthetics and construction techniques. Each car is built using an ash frame and aluminium panels combined with a Bentley straight eight B Series engine.

We are told that this car was built in 2011 by Racing Green with an open sports tourer body. It has remained with the same owner since, covering a mere 2,200 miles on what are described as family leisure trips. Valuation and authentication documents from the Bentley Drivers’ Club verify its status.

The Condition

Highly detailed recreation of the Speed Six by marque specialists
Remains in superb condition reflecting limited, careful use since completion
Careful attention to detail immediately evident from inspection of the photographs
British Racing Green bodywork with vinyl body trim
Double duck down retractable hood
Full tonneau
Engine turned aluminium dashboard
Hand woven three spoke steering wheel
Reproduction of original instruments by Racing Green
Fold flat aero screens
Rear luggage rack with period suitcase
Right hand gearbox conversion
Connolly leather interior with front bucket seats and rear bench
Matching green carpets

This really is a magnificent vehicle. Today we would call its various features and fittings ‘surprise and delight’ items, but of course they owe their presence to function, albeit one that demonstrates a remarkable eye for design.

The work by Racing Green is a paean to the craftsman’s skill. The style and detail of the Speed Six has been very carefully recreated across the exterior and interior and one would be extremely hard pressed to identify the origins of this car in a 1950s Mk VI. The condition is self evident from the photographs and reflects this car’s very limited use since the work was completed. The owner’s care is obvious but also evident in the car’s regular run of MOTs since completion. It is, of course, MOT exempt, so obtaining regular tests is a good measure of the owner’s fastidiousness.

The Mechanics

6,500cc 8cyl B Series Bentley engine with overhead inlet and exhaust valves
4spd manual gearbox with correct right hand shift
Dry sump oil system
Selectable engine driven mechanical and twin electric fuel pumps
Large bore stainless steel exhaust system
New 12v electrics
Lucas P100 headlamps
Cibie long range driving lamps with mesh stone guards
Highly detailed engine bay

The joy of the Racing Green Speed 8 is that it is much more than just a skin deep evocation. Rather than slavishly recreating the Speed Six the firm decided to go ‘one better’ by using the Bentley B Series 8cyl engine to add a little extra heft. It is in similar 6.5litre displacement to the original.

This Speed 8 has completed few miles since 2011 but has been maintained with care. The 12v electrics are new and it has been regularly serviced.

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