Barlow owned the Super Sports for three years before it was sold to 27-year-old Roland Seward, the founder of a huge garage business in Southampton that later became a satellite factory for Supermarine Spitfire components.
The Bentley returned to the works several times for engine work during the early 1930s, and later owners included Ernest Alfred Jacobs, a motorcycle specialist in Southend.
The Super Sports survived the war, despite a close shave with an incendiary bomb, and by 1956 had been acquired by Miss Judy Coates, the daughter of well-known Bentley Drivers’ Club member James, who also owned a Gurney Nutting 8 Litre saloon.
William Barlow’s short-bodied 1174 shortly after it was delivered, with the windscreen removed
With just 41,000 miles on the clock, 1174 had been smartened-up with fresh green paint and chroming before L-plates were affixed and Judy learnt to drive in the rare Bentley. Perhaps it provided inspiration for the 1962 comedy caper The Fast Lady.
The car remained with the Coates family until 1993, when it was acquired by respected connoisseur Bill Lake and joined a remarkable collection of Bentley team cars, plus a TT Sunbeam, 9.2-litre veteran Mors racer, Aston Martin DB3S, the Michelotti Jaguar D-type and a Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle.
Lake had a great appreciation for highly original machines, and for the following three decades 1174 remained in the family stable.
Barlow’s early Bentley 3 Litre lapped Brooklands at an impressive 96mph
Two years ago, Bonhams discreetly offered the Super Sports as a private-treaty sale and it was swiftly acquired by Vintage Bentley.
Before any work was started on the maintenance of 1174, Medcalf invited foremost marque historian Dr Clare Hay to his Hampshire workshop to examine the rare machine.
The remarkable discovery of matching numbers throughout further confirmed its originality.
“I’d only seen the car in books, so it was fascinating to study such a well-preserved, low-mileage Super Sport,” enthuses Medcalf. “It’s the only unrestored car of the 18 built, and one of just four still with original bodywork.”
The Bentley Super Sports’ matching ‘1174’ stamps confirms its originality
Once the inspection was completed and details photographically recorded, Medcalf and team went right through the car’s mechanicals.
With the chassis and engine refreshed, the focus turned to the cosmetics.
Using the one period photograph of 1174 during Barlow’s ownership, the body and wings were corrected: “The running boards were too low, so we raised them by 2in.
“We also dechromed the brightwork, including the rare Smiths sidelights.”
In total, 18 Bentley Super Sports were originally produced, all with bespoke coachbuilt styling
From the 97-year-old photograph, Medcalf judged that the finish needed to be darker and eventually repainted it black including the lights, ’screen frame and wheel spinners.
Using a mixture of brush and spray paint, the result perfectly enhanced 1174’s originality.
The leather trim was repaired and a new battery box was made to fit accurately under the passenger running board.
A fresh set of triple-stud Blockley tyres was fitted, which transformed the car’s stance.
The shortened wheelbase allows the Bentley to be chucked into corners like a big go-kart
After testing, Medcalf entered the first Generations Rally and, fresh from victory on the Flying Scotsman with his own Super Sports recreation, he invited his wife Kate to drive 1174 while he navigated.
With the three-day route around the Lake District, the North Pennines and Yorkshire blessed with spring sunshine, the new event proved a great introduction.
“The Super Sports was in its element on these roads, particularly the mountain passes, and Kate drove it superbly,” says Medcalf.
The Bentley’s gearbox is superbly smooth and the engine pulls strongly
“With the 9ft wheelbase the car handles like a dream, and you can just chuck it into corners like a go-kart,” he continues.
“Once rolling the steering weight eases and it’s very direct.
“With the lighter flywheel, the engine is much more responsive.
“It’s a hooligan version of a vintage Bentley and the difference is stark.”
‘Had Ettore Bugatti driven this rare performance model, he’d never have made his much-quoted Bentley “lorries” analogy’
Like many marque enthusiasts, Medcalf knew the Super Sports existed but had little idea how different they were until the first, chassis 1046, was found in a garage near Lewes.
“It hadn’t been used for years, but I dragged it out and got it running,” he recalls.
“I kept the revs below 3000rpm and drove it home. It was a choice between a mortgage and rebuilding the 1046.
“When it was finished I did a few hillclimbs and autotests, and soon realised how special they are. Then I started tracking down the other cars.”
The Bentley Super Sport’s long-nose, short-tail stance hints at the 3 Litre’s potency
As well as rebuilding eight of the original 18, Medcalf has developed five short-chassis specials based on original parts.
With 200bhp powering 1450kg, the continuation Super Sports make phenomenal historic rally cars as he has proved with three Flying Scotsman wins and second pre-war car home in the gruelling 2010 Peking to Paris behind a ’39 Chevrolet ‘Fangio’ Coupe: “The Super Sports put our business on the map, and I love showing what they can do.”
Images: James Mann
Thanks to: William Medcalf and historian Dr Clare Hay
READ MORE
The story of Bentley: from Blowers to Speed 8 and beyond
Tackling the Mille Miglia in a Blower Bentley
How the other half lived: Bentley MkVI vs Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346
Mick Walsh
Mick Walsh is Classic & Sports Car’s International Editor
