1930 Bentley Speed Six Corsica Sportsman's Saloon
- Engine
- 6.5L inline-six, up to ~200 bhp in racing tune
- Colour
- Dark (described as having a dark appearance)
Chassis HM2861 is a 1930 Bentley Speed Six bodied by Corsica Coachworks of London with a striking five-passenger Sportsman's Saloon on a 152-inch chassis, featuring a long bonnet, cycle-style wings, split windscreen, and truncated tail. Delivered new to J.W. Bealey in Sussex, it later crossed the Atlantic aboard a cargo ship, was driven across North America, and made multiple appearances at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, earning a reputation as one of the most visually arresting closed W.O. Bentleys in existence.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$3,410,000
- 1930-09-01 →Factory deliveryJ.W. Bealeyfull documentation
Original recipient, took delivery via Jack Barclay in London; factory build records confirm original specification including Corsica coachwork. Based at Little Minthurst Farm, Charlwood, Sussex.
- 1958 → 1976Acquisition unknownHugh Youngpartial documentation
Acquired in Wool, Dorset; transported the car to Canada aboard a cargo vessel in 1959 and subsequently drove it unrestored from Montreal to Winnipeg. Longtime Bentley Drivers Club officer.
- 1976 → 1984Private saleBarry Cooneypartial documentation
Oregon-based collector; had a full mechanical service done by specialists Hoffman and Mountford before shipping the car to the USA. Used the car extensively, including long-distance road trips.
- 1984 →Private saleGordon Apkerpartial documentation
Prominent American collector who kept the car for approximately two decades; restoration work carried out in the late 1990s including a full refinish and fitment of disc-style wheel covers.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent collector ownerpartial documentation
Acquired from the Apker collection; car has been maintained in this collection since acquisition.
Competition
- 19811981 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceDriver: Barry Cooney
Car was driven directly from Portland, Oregon, to the event and displayed without prior preparation; one of two consecutive Pebble Beach appearances by this owner.
- 19821982 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceDriver: Barry Cooney
Second consecutive road-driven appearance at Pebble Beach; historian Diane Brandon recalled a late-night mountain drive during one of these trips.
- 19851985 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Displayed during Gordon Apker's ownership; notably shared the presentation ramp with the renowned Blue Train Bentley.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1976ServiceHoffman and Mountford
Comprehensive mechanical service carried out prior to shipment from the United Kingdom to the United States.
Commissioned by Barry Cooney shortly after acquiring the car.
- —Restoration
Full cosmetic refurbishment including bare repaint in current colour scheme, interior refinishing, and fitting of disc-style wheel covers.
Carried out during the late 1990s under the current owner; prose describes this as the period the car received its present livery.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.