Named for its engine, the 6½-Litre model instantly became the most refined car offered by Bentley.

Its revised chassis and greater engine capacity made light work of the heavy limousine bodies favoured by customers of the day and the model became known as a comfortable cruiser.

Its development did not stop there, though, as the marque drew on its racing experience to squeeze even more power from the fearsome straight-six.

At the behest of Woolf Barnato, a performance derivative of the six-cylinder car was devised, which became known as the Speed Six.

Several months of development culminated in a demonstration in late-1928, with the first delivery to Barnato in May 1929.

The example offered here, chassis BA2587, is a Speed Six with a fascinating and rich history.

Noted in Bentley – The Vintage Years by acclaimed marque historian Dr Clare Hay, the Bentley was built on the shortest version of the production chassis available (11 feet, 6 inches) and sent to H.J.

Mulliner & Co., Ltd ...