1930 Bentley Speed Six Le Mans Tourer
- Engine
- 6.5L inline-six, single-port, ~180 bhp
Chassis SB2751 is a 1930 Bentley Speed Six originally bodied as a H.J. Mulliner Weymann Saloon and displayed at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show. Sold new through Jack Barclay to Walter Gordon Sykes, it later spent over five decades with William Nicholson. After his death in 1995 the car was rebodied to Le Mans Tourer specification. The mechanicals are largely original, with a replacement crankcase from an earlier 6½-Litre and a front axle ex-Blower Bentley. Provenance is supported by a full report from marque historian Dr. Clare Hay.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €550,000 – €900,000
- 1930-12-01 →Private saleWalter Gordon Sykesfull documentation
First retail owner, took delivery via dealer Jack Barclay; car registered with plate GK 2472 at time of purchase.
- → 1954Three intermediate ownerspartial documentation
Car changed hands three times between the first owner and William Nicholson; no individual identities or dates provided.
- 1954 → 1995Acquisition unknownWilliam Nicholsonpartial documentation
Retained the car for over five decades until his death in 1995; the rebodying to Le Mans Tourer configuration was carried out after his passing.
- 1995 → 2016Post-Nicholson owner(s) overseeing rebodyingnone documentation
The current Le Mans Tourer body was fitted after Nicholson died; ownership between 1995 and the consignor's 2016 acquisition is not detailed.
- 2016 →Acquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Part of a notable private collection; car has been used at significant historic motoring gatherings during this period.
Competition
- 1929-10-18Olympia Motor ShowDisplayed on manufacturer's stand
Car was bodied as a Weymann Saloon by H.J. Mulliner specifically to appear on Bentley's official show exhibit.
- —Schloss Dyck Classic Days
Attended after entering the current owner's collection in 2016; exact year of participation not specified.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1929MaintenanceH.J. Mulliner
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner as a Weymann Saloon, prepared for display on the Bentley stand at the Olympia Motor Show.
This was the original body configuration at the time of the car's public debut.
- 1995Bodywork
Original Weymann Saloon body replaced with a Le Mans Tourer specification body following the death of the previous long-term owner.
The replacement crankcase (FW2603) from an earlier 6½-Litre and a front axle sourced from a Blower Bentley are also noted as non-original components.
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