A 24 Hours of Le Mans legend in model car
The dark green Bentley Speed Six number 4 , which competed in the legendary 1930 24 Hours of Le Mans, represents one of the most glorious pages of British automotive history. This 1:43 scale model captures the essence of this legendary racing car, driven by the prestigious duo W. Barnato and G. Kidston .
A true collector's item for car enthusiasts and motorsport history fans, this faithful reproduction bears witness to the golden age of endurance racing, when gentleman drivers vied for victory at the wheel of exceptional cars on the Sarthe circuit.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Bentley Speed Six
- Brand: Bentley
- Year: 1930
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Dark green
- Race number: 4
- Drivers: W. Barnato / G. Kidston
- Protective case included: Yes
The Bentley Speed Six: a monster of power
Developed in 1928, the Bentley Speed Six represented the culmination of W.O. Bentley's philosophy: "You have to build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class." Powered by a massive 6.5-liter six-cylinder engine developing nearly 200 horsepower, this exceptional automobile was capable of reaching 160 km/h, a remarkable speed for the time.
The Speed Six was distinguished by its legendary robustness and exceptional endurance racing performance. Its reinforced chassis and proven mechanics made it the ultimate weapon for long events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car perfectly embodied the Bentley spirit: power, elegance, and reliability.
This racing version, lightened and optimized for competition, represented the pinnacle of automotive technology of its time, with its technical innovations that would have a lasting influence on the British automotive industry.
Bentley: British Automotive Excellence
Founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley , the Bentley brand quickly established itself as a symbol of British automotive excellence. In the 1930s, Bentley was going through a pivotal period in its history, having been acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1931, but still retaining its DNA as a manufacturer of high-performance sports cars.
The 1930 Speed Six represented the pinnacle of the independent Bentley era, before the takeover by Rolls-Royce. It perfectly embodied WO Bentley's original philosophy, which advocated performance through power rather than weight reduction, unlike its competitors of the time.
This golden period for Bentley coincided with the golden age of motor racing, when wealthy gentleman drivers vied for glory on European circuits in exceptional machines, laying the foundations for what would later become the Bentley racing legend.
The "Bentley Boys": a living legend
The story of this Bentley Speed Six number 4 is inseparable from that of the famous "Bentley Boys" , this group of British aristocratic drivers who dominated endurance racing in the 1920s and 1930s. Woolf Barnato, one of the drivers of this car, was not only an excellent driver but also the owner of Bentley Motors, having bought the company in financial difficulty.
His teammate, Glen Kidston, was a Royal Air Force pilot who had become a motor racer. Their partnership at the wheel of the number 4 Speed Six in the 1930 24 Hours of Le Mans perfectly illustrated the gentlemanly spirit of the era, where motorsport and British elegance blended naturally.
The 1930 race also marked the end of an era for Bentley in motorsport. The marque's financial difficulties would soon lead to its acquisition by Rolls-Royce, bringing the heroic era of Bentley racing to an end. Speed Six number 4 thus represented one of the last lights of this golden era, when British motoring reigned supreme on European circuits.
The story goes that Woolf Barnato personally financed several Bentley entries into Le Mans, not for a return on investment, but out of a pure passion for racing . This philosophy, combining sport and driving pleasure, remains the very essence of Bentley's DNA to this day.
Complete your model car collection
This green Bentley Speed Six naturally finds its place at the heart of a collection dedicated to historic racing cars. It harmonizes perfectly with other iconic models of the 24 Hours of Le Mans , creating a cohesive ensemble around this legendary race.
Passionate collectors of Bentley model cars will particularly appreciate this faithful reproduction, which is the ideal addition to a collection devoted to classic cars or pre-war racing cars .
This model car is aimed at both experienced collectors and novices keen to discover automotive history through exceptional models. It also provides an excellent starting point for exploring the world of cars from the 1930s or French automobiles from the same era, allowing for fascinating comparisons between the different schools of European automobile construction.
