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 this 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.
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Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
