With more power, less weight and a shorter chassis, the rare Super Sports proved to be the ultimate expression of Cricklewood’s first production car
WORDS MICK WALSH PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MANN
Today, most cars are capable of topping 100mph, but back in 1925 ‘the ton’ was a spectacular speed that very few had experienced. Any road car with this kind of performance potential was a sensation, none more so than the rare Bentley Super Sports, the first model given the iconic green-winged ‘B’ badge. Just 18 of these high-performance, short-chassis machines were built between 1925 and ’27, and each came with a factory guarantee of 100mph. Lighter, shorter, more powerful and faster than any other 3 Litre, its performance came at the exclusive price of £1050 – compared to £925 for the Speed Model. This chassis-only deal then required further outlay for a body by your preferred coachbuilder.
With a 9ft wheelbase, 9½in shorter than the Speed Model, this more trim 22½cwt (1143kg) machine shaved off 25kg and was instantly recognisable to enthusiasts in 1925 due to its more compressed profile. Also enhancing the Super Sports’ style were a tapered radiator and scuttle to reduce wind resistance.
Under the bonnet, the final development of WO Bentley’s handsome overhead-cam, twin-plug ‘four’ was tuned with a lightened flywheel, increased 6.3:1 compression, drilled valve-spring caps, lighter ‘hourglass’ pistons and twin SU Type G5 ‘Sloper’ carburettors. With a 15/53 axle ratio, the chassis was driven down from the Cricklewood works to Brooklands in exposed form for its 100mph test prior to delivery.
Super Sports survivors rarely come on to the market, but the news that William Medcalf was offering the most original of these machines, chassis 1174, had me racing down to his impressive showroom on the old A3. Today, many 3 Litres have been uprated to 4½ Litre power with dramatic results, but this Will Shortbodied two-seater with dickey is as authentic as they come. The flat black paint finish and worn leather trim have immense character, yet mechanically it’s fresh from the workshop. Recent fettling has been thorough, but the Vintage Bentley team has been careful to preserve this wonderfully original car’s patina. Medcalf has also driven 1174 on a 500-mile tour along some of England’s finest roads.
Entry is best via the passenger door, the angle of which neatly echoes the black windscreen’s rake. Sliding your legs under the steering wheel is tight due to this car’s special lowered column, which also makes the pedals cramped. Doubledeclutch
