Exceptional Bentley spotted in Rye

[marcus]

I went down to Camber on Saturday partly to see an old friend playing at Rye Jazz and Blues Festival. Yesterday afternoon we headed back through Rye, and at a roundabout our jaws dropped as a 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney-Nutting Coupe passed in front of us with a sound not dissimilar to a Rolls Royce Merlin Aero engine.

What a sight and sound, SO rakish and mean-looking, but also SO classy. No photograph does it justice compared to seeing it in the flesh 30 feet away, and that lovely deep throaty growl, powerful but not unpleasantly loud.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1930s+Bentley+Speed+Six+Gurney+Nutting+coupe+for+sale&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&imgil=OrybuHr9xXsfgM%253A%253BYAfvsnqGuldOZM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fallcarcentral.com%25252Fbentley_pix-6.html&source=iu&usg=__Z2DQft17r-KKE-cxssqFVu4bIR0%3D&sa=X&ei=vxf7U6nXFYjnaI_qgcgC&ved=0CCUQ9QEwAQ&biw=1024&bih=475#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=OrybuHr9xXsfgM%253A%3BYAfvsnqGuldOZM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fallcarcentral.com%252FBentley%252FBentley_Speed_Six_Gurney_Nutting_Coupe_1930_CHR0206_Pebble_Beach_2009.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fallcarcentral.com%252Fbentley_pix-6.html%3B700%3B469

[Rob Dobie]

The Bentley could have been on its way to the Eastbourne Historic Vehicle Club's Festival of Transport at Broad Farm, Hellingly. There has been a rally there since 1976. Vehicles from all over the UK attend this large gathering. Unfortunately today has been raining continually, sometimes heavy, stopping some entrants and the crowds attending.

 http://www.ehvc.biz/#

[marcus]

Classic British Bank Holiday. Many events will be spoiled. It might have been part of the Rye classic run too, but EHVC sounds likely!

I would not say this car is beautiful, but it has such huge "presence" that all eyes turned to it instantly.
Romours vary, but could be worth over £6 million if it is the ex-Woolf Barnato car.

[NickPoll]

There's a good chance it was a Peterson Replica. They've made a few of them. But of course it could be the genuine aerticle. I think everyone should have a W.O. Bentley in their garage.   Nick.

[marcus]

Apparently the original did come over to UK a few weeks ago so it might have been the original.
I would hate to be the back seat passenger in it...sitting sideways because of the low roof, and such narrow back windows!