The 1930 Bentley Speed Six Blue Train Special

Bentley enjoyed a brief, brilliant tenure as a manufacturer of topflight performance automobiles, but it is this period of time that continues to anchor the allure of the Bentley brand today. This period of glory lasted just over a decade, from when the first Bentley automobiles were produced in 1919 until the firm entered receivership in 1931 and Rolls Royce purchased its assets. During that time, Bentley’s brawny and reliable machines managed to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times.

Besides its founders Walter Owen and Henry Bentley, the South African mining millionaire Joel Woolf Barnato brought much-needed cash to the fledgling car company, and became one of Bentley’s most important figureheads. Barnato also showed his prowess behind the wheel, winning three of those Le Mans victories from 1928 through 1930.

Understandably, Barnato had a great deal of confidence in himself and his Bentleys. In March 1930, at a party in Cannes, France, Barnato bragged that his Speed Six could get him to his club in London faster than the famed Blue Train express could travel between Cannes and Calais. One hundred pounds sterling was put on the line and Barnato took the challenge.

The next afternoon, Barnato and his friend, Dale Bourne, left Cannes just as the Blue Train left Cannes station. Despite a rainstorm, a blown tire, dark and unfamiliar French roads, and the necessity of a cross-Channel ferry ride, Barnato and Bourne arrived at the Conservative Club in London by 3:30 p.m. the next day. The Blue Train arrived in Calais exactly four minutes later.

The car seen here is not generally believed to be the car that beat the Blue Train. Rather, most believe it was delivered to Barnato two months after the race, whereupon he dubbed it “the Blue Train Special” to commemorate his recent cross-country victory (Barnato’s daughter, for one, claimed that this car was in fact the one driven in the race).

In any case, this custom-bodied Speed Six Bentley is worthy of any and all the recognition it receives. Its body was built by J. Gurney-Nutting and Co., and it is stunning. The gunslit-height windows (additionally concealed by individually fitted shades), along with the sloping fastback roofline, tall, black wire wheels, and dark-green paint create an air of menace that isn’t often associated with cars of the period, except perhaps for those that ferried gangsters like Capone and Dillinger.

The aggressive theme continues with the car’s long hood, which houses a 6.5-liter straight six producing upwards of 180 horsepower. Numerous louvers accent the hood sides and low frame covers that run along each side, below the body and between the peaked and flared fenders. A bustle-back look, which extends the car and carries the sloping roofline rearward when viewed in profile, is created by a tool chest and luggage compartment behind the passenger cabin. Inside are three leather-appointed bucket seats, one of which resides sideways behind the two front seats, with a cocktail cabinet nearby.

Today the car rarely makes public appearances. When it does, it is often accompanied by the Mulliner-bodied Bentley that probably actually raced the Blue Train, as both cars are owned by Bruce and Jolene McCaw of Seattle, Washington.

Bentley Speed Six Blue Train Special Specifications

Valvetrain : Four valves/cylinder, SOHC
Carburetion : Two SU HVG5
Compression Ratio : 5.3:1
Gearbox : Four-speed manual
Weigh : 4,840 lbs/2,195 kg
Wheelbase : 140.5 inches/357cm