Vehicle Description
Few pursuits defined W.O. Bentley's life more than his relentless
passion for speed. From the Bentley Boys thundering down the
Mulsanne Straight in pursuit of victory to spontaneous races on
French back roads, Bentley's Cricklewood-built motorcars were
crafted to dominate road and track alike. W.O. Bentley believed
that speed was not merely a feature-it was the essence of his
motorcars, an uncompromising pursuit that shaped every facet of his
engineering philosophy.The success of Bentley's Le Mans-winning 3
Litre set a high standard, but as tastes shifted toward larger,
more luxurious coachwork, the limitations of the 3 Litre's
performance began to show. W.O. recognized the need for a more
powerful engine and set about designing a successor. His solution
was the 4 1/2 Litre, an enlarged four-cylinder that promised to
deliver the performance and durability required to meet Bentley's
rigorous standards. Yet, it was not only engineering that shaped
the course of Bentley's history-it was also serendipity and the
thrill of competition.In 1924, while returning from France in his
latest prototype, affectionately nicknamed "The Sun," W.O. Bentley
found himself at a three-way intersection facing an unfamiliar car.
Behind the wheel of this curious vehicle was none other than the
test driver for Rolls-Royce, piloting the new Phantom. What
followed was a spirited and impromptu race through the French
countryside, with neither driver willing to yield. It was only when
the Rolls-Royce driver stopped to retrieve his lost hat that the
race came to an end. W.O. continued on to Dieppe, his tires nearly
shredded and the chassis showing the strain of hard driving. While
the event underscored the need for further refinement, it also
reinforced a singular truth: the next Bentley had to be faster and
stronger.In response, W.O. Bentley unveiled the 6 1/2 Litre in
1925, a car designed not only to meet the challenges of the road
but to surpass them. Production began in 1926, with the "Standard
Six" establishing itself as the new benchmark for speed, power, and
refinement. It wasn't long before Bentley pushed the boundaries
even further with the legendary Speed Six. The Standard Six saw
continual development, with significant updates introduced in 1928,
including a relocated dynamo, camshaft dampers, a louvered bonnet,
and upgraded "C" type springs. These changes so greatly impressed
W.O. that earlier models from 1926 and 1927 were recalled to be
updated at Bentley's expense-a testament to his relentless pursuit
of perfection. Powered by the 6 1/2 Litre engine, these cars not
only set new standards for road cars but also powered Bentley's Le
Mans-winning racers, including the legendary Old Number One.We are
pleased to offer this beautiful 1928 Bentley 6 1/2 Litre chassis
no. PR2306. Delivered by Cricklewood on November 27, 1927, this
"Standard Six" was clothed as a Weymann Saloon by H.J. Mulliner.
Originally delivered to Mr. Oswald Julian Syme of Melbourne,
Australia, this Bentley was ordered with specifications closely
mirroring the 1927 Olympia Motor Show car, differing only in its
slightly shorter 12-foot wheelbase (PR2306). Mr. Syme was a
proprietor of Melbourne's The Age, a news publisher founded in
1854, and still writing to this day!Dr. Clare Hay, the world's
leading authority on Cricklewood built Bentleys, traveled from
England to Australia to carefully view the car during its
restoration. She confirms in her report the car was equipped with a
13/50 ratio rear axle, a single Smiths 50BVS carburetor, long
steering column, and a "C" type gearbox. Mr. Syme purchased the
Bentley through Brodribb Brothers, a prominent Melbourne-based
importer of prestigious European marques during the period,
ensuring the car was perfectly tailored to his requirements. They
would continue to service the Bentley under Syme's ownership
ordering parts directly from Cricklewood when needed.PR2306 would
spend much of its early life in Australia, changing hands with
owners down under until 1960, when Mr. Jack Nelson purchased the
car. Nelson retained the car until 1982, when it was sold to
ex-Formula 1 driver Reg Hunt. A driver during the young, pioneering
days of Formula 1, Reg owned and drove Juan Manuel Fangio's 1953
Italian Grand Prix winning Maserati A6GCM. While short, his Formula
1 career was not a fair display of his true skill as according to
the British Racing Drivers Club, he continually won races at
Bathurst, Albert Park, and other Australian venues during the
1950s.Hunt subsequently sold the car to Mr. Peter Willcox, who
embarked on a comprehensive restoration of PR2306 with the vision
of honoring W.O. Bentley's enduring spirit of speed. Willcox
commissioned the construction of a new body for the Bentley, opting
for a Le Mans Tourer design in the style of Vanden Plas. While the
bodywork was being meticulously crafted to period-correct
specifications, the chassis was sent to The Derby Works in
Melbourne for a complete refresh. During the course of the
restoration, ownership transferred to Mr. Gary McMillan, who
provided the resources to complete this thorough and exacting
project. Dr. Clare Hay examined the car during its time at Derby
Works and remarked on its exceptional originality, stating: "I saw
PR2306 at Derby Works in March 2011 and saw PR2306 in chassis form,
confirming that it has all its original numbered components. The
chassis is generally in very original order and in very good
condition." A complete Clare Hay report is on file and available
for viewing.Upon completion, PR2306 emerged as a fully realized and
expertly executed Speed Six, reimagined in the spirit of Bentley's
iconic Le Mans Tourers. The car was upgraded with period correct,
twin SU HVG5 carburetors, a Speed Six intake manifold, and double
Hartford shock absorbers, as fitted to Old Number One, ensuring
both performance and authenticity were of the highest order.Every
detail of the bodywork adhered to period standards, and the car was
finished in a rich British Racing Green, consistent with Bentley's
legendary racing liveries. All badges were updated to green,
distinguishing it as a Speed Six, in contrast to the blue found on
the Standard Six models.Inside the reimagined tourer cockpit, the
attention to detail continues with a Le Mans-style dash featuring a
correct Jaeger tachometer, tumbler switches, and an air pressure
feed system for fuel delivery. The result is a harmonious blend of
performance and period-correct design, capturing the essence of
Bentley's golden era of motorsport.Retaining its original engine
(PR 2325), gearbox (no. 6149), and frame (2306), this Bentley
represents an extraordinary Cricklewood masterpiece, meticulously
and expertly upgraded to Speed Six specifications. This Bentley
represents an extraordinary Cricklewood masterpiece, meticulously
and expertly upgraded to Speed Six specifications. Executed to the
highest standards of craftsmanship, this authentic reimagining
honors Bentley's Le Mans legacy while preserving the character and
integrity of the original design. While upgraded, the Bentley still
carries with it the pride of its originality; almost any component
that was not replaced with Speed Six components remains original
and true to the motorcar. This car stands as a testament to
Bentley's engineering brilliance and the timeless allure of their
motorcars, appealing to enthusiasts who value both authenticity and
the spirit of competition.Further cementing its status as an
exceptional example, this Bentley achieved Best of Show honors at
the 2011 Motorclassica Concours, Australia's premier Concours
d'Elegance. This prestigious accolade reflects the meticulous care
and dedication poured into its restoration and reaffirms its place
among the finest pre-war motorcars in existe...for more information
please contact the seller.
