8th Flying Scotsman Rally, April 2016

Flying Scotsman Rally, April 2015

Flying Scotsman Rally, April 2015

"This Bentley 6½-Litre (Chassis No. HM2865) 1930 is the fifth last ever built original 'Speed Six'. He has become known in the literature as the "Shoosmith Speed Six".

According to Michael Hay's authoritative work, Bentley The Vintage Years, this 6½-Litre Speed Six, registration number 'GK 8450', was erected on the 'SP4' (12' 8½") long chassis and originally fitted with saloon coachwork by Gurney Nutting. It is the fifth from last of the 24 long-wheelbase Speed Six chassis constructed by Bentley Motors, and has the lighter and more powerful 1930-specification engine producing 180bhp. The first owner was Sir Anthony Lindsay Hogg. After he parted with the Bentley early in 1932, it was next owned by one A H Sheppard, who kept the car for over 20 years, winning a 'best-in-class' award at the Bentley Drivers Club Kensington Gardens Concours in 1951.

Mr Sheppard sold the car in January 1953 and its next recorded owner, from October 1955, was a Major A Gregson followed by Guy Shoosmith from 1962. According to the accompanying detailed report by Michael Hay, compiled in 2001: 'It seems likely that Shoosmith removed and scrapped the original Gurney Nutting saloon body, possibly following an accident... By May 1964, when the car appeared at a BDC sprint event in Antwerp, GK 8450 had been rebuilt in its present form on a shortened chassis with an open four-seater body.' In the course of the rebuild, the original chassis was replaced with 'BR2357', which was shortened to a wheelbase of 11' 6" and over-stamped with the original number, 'HM2865'. At the same time a new body was constructed along the lines of those made by Vanden Plas for the legendary Le Mans-winning Bentley team cars. Hay notes that the car had been fitted with hydraulic brakes and the D Type close-ratio gearbox from a 4½-Litre, while retaining its original differential casing and various other original parts, including the steering column. 'GK 8450' is pictured in Hay's Bentley: The Vintage Years in its original form and as it now is in Bentley: 50 Years of the Marque by Johnny Green.

Shoosmith kept the Speed Six until 1999, during which time it made many appearances at major events at Silverstone including the 1969 British Grand Prix parade with W O Bentley himself as passenger. 'GK 8450' was next owned by Dutch Bentley Collectors' Paul Veenhuijzen and then Dirk Lindenbergh, and is currently registered in Holland. Offered with a history file containing copies of correspondence, rebuild notes, press cuttings and factory records, this magnificent Bentley Speed Six has to be the ideal acquisition for the enthusiast driver wishing to undertake long-distance rallies and touring events in true Vintage style."

Rétromobile, February 2014

Bentley Speed Six
British racing green, dark green leather

Only 182 produced! Matching numbers, extensive documentation on the history of the car, it is the 5th last produced Bentley Speed Six! During the forty years of ownership by the renowned member of the Bentley Drivers Club Guy Shoosmith this Bentley Speed Six was intensely used in many different contests. Known as the "Shoosmith Speed Six". Conversion to a light tourer car body in the sixties, extensively restored by Bentley specialists approx. 3 years ago. The engine is extremly powerful.

Colour: British racing green
Interior colour: dark green
Drive: RHD
Type: Cabrio / Roadster
Year: 1930
Price: P.O.R.
VAT: No

May 25, 2013: Sold

"This rare 5th to last Speed Six made from 1930, has 6 owners only from new and is known as the Shoosmith Speed Six, named after its owner for nearly 40 years who raced her actively and owned a few other important Bentley's! Big history file with many period fotos. Participated among others in the Mille Miglia, BDC tour South Africa, Benjafield rally to Moscow etc. Phoenix crank and rods. Excellent condition, fully serviced and on the button.

Chassis HM 2865 is a 1931 (180 bhp) Speed Six model and the 5th to last car built. It was originally fitted with a well proportioned and rare Gurney Nutting saloon body (pictures on file!).

It was sold to Sir Anthony Lindsay Hogg in January 1931. Late 1931 the engine was overhauled with new pistons and bearings! In 1932 he sold it to Mr. A.H. Sheppard. It has continuous Bentley service records until 1936. Mr. Sheppard kept the car until 1953 (21 years) to Major A. Gregson who in turn sold it to Mr. Guy Shoosmith in 1962. Mr Shoosmith removed the saloon body after an accident and rebuilt the car with the current open four seater bodywork on a shorthened chassis. (his estimates to do this work are on file!). Shoosmith raced the car regularly and many period photos of GK8450 are on file. In 1969 Shoosmith took part in a parade at the British Grand Prix with W.O. Bentley as his passenger. He kept the car until 1999 (37 years!) and sold it to Dutch Colonel Paul Veenhuijzen who in turn sold it to the current owner in 2000. Six owners only from new only, including the current owner.

This magnificent Speed Six has been used for many a competition outing when owned by Shoosmith. When the 5th owner Mr Veenhuijzen bought the car next to his immortal 4 ½ Litre, he immediately participated in the Brooklands to Moscow Vintage Bentley rally in 1999. When the current owner bought the car he had the engine rebuilt with Phoenix crank and rods. Further work was carried out by respected specialists Harcourt Smith. Much work was done by well known restorer M.C. Huckle. The result is a car which has an impressive patina rarely seen on Vintage Bentley’s. The current owner also set out to use his Bentley in the BDC South African rally and in the 2006 Mille Miglia. The car has been regularly used in many other minor events and rallies.

RECORDS: On file are: Bentley service records, invoices from work done in the past 10 years of ownership. Very rare; it comes with many original letters from the 1960s, the Shoosmith Era. Mr Shoosmith made many technical drawings for the car which are on file. Next to that it has an original Speed Six catalogue from 1929 and an original Speed Six instruction book. Registration and papers: The car has Dutch registration (EC tax paid) and can be imported without paying tax in other EC countries and the English registration GK8450 comes with the car. The car is beautifully patinated with the nearly 50 year old bodywork."

Peking Paris Rally, 2007

Chassis no: HM2865
Registration No: GK 8450
Coachbuilder: Gurney Nutting