The 1930 24 Hours of Le Mans marked the high point and conclusion of Bentley's dominant pre-war endurance programme. Of the two Speed Sixes that finished first and second, car No. 2 — entrusted to Frank Clement and Dick Watney — is the less celebrated but equally significant half of that result. Spark Model has captured it in resin at 1:43, offering collectors a documented, race-specific piece from one of motorsport's foundational chapters.
A 6,597 cc Inline-Six Built for Endurance
The Bentley Speed Six was developed from the standard 6.5-litre Bentley, its inline six-cylinder overhead-camshaft engine displacing 6,597 cc and producing approximately 180–200 bhp. With a wheelbase of 3,569 mm and an overall length of around 4,750 mm in racing bodywork configuration, it was a large, purposeful machine. The Speed Six prioritised mechanical robustness and sustained high-speed performance over outright power — qualities that made it uniquely suited to a 24-hour event on the Sarthe circuit.
The Race That Closed the Bentley Boys Chapter
At Le Mans in 1930, Bentley achieved a 1–2 finish: car No. 1, crewed by Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston, took the win, while No. 2, in the hands of Frank Clement and Dick Watney, crossed the line second overall. Clement was one of the most experienced Bentley works drivers of the period, having competed at Le Mans since the early 1920s. The result was Bentley's fifth and final Le Mans victory era, and the No. 2 car — finished in traditional British Racing Green with Bentley Motors Ltd roundels — was an integral part of it.
Spark Model in Resin at 1:43
This is a resin 1:43 scale model car produced by Spark Model, a manufacturer known for its focus on race-specific livery accuracy and photo-etched surface detailing. The model represents car No. 2 as it ran at the 1930 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the correct race number and driver pairing of Clement and Watney. As a resin casting, the body is a sealed one-piece construction; detail is concentrated on the external surfaces, period coachwork lines, and livery rendering in British Racing Green.
Pre-War Scale in the Display Cabinet
At 1:43, the model measures approximately 11.0 cm in length — compact enough to sit alongside other pre-war endurance subjects without demanding significant shelf space. It pairs naturally with the sister No. 1 Speed Six (Barnato/Kidston) for a complete 1930 Le Mans 1–2 display, or within a broader Bentley Boys collection spanning the marque's Le Mans campaigns of 1927–1930. For collectors focused on early endurance racing history, it occupies a specific and well-documented position.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1:43 scale model?
The Speed Six in 1930 Le Mans racing bodywork measured approximately 4,750 mm in overall length. At 1:43, the model comes to approximately 11.0 cm — a footprint that fits comfortably on a standard display shelf alongside other pre-war 1:43 subjects.
Does the model have opening parts?
No. As a resin casting, the body is a sealed one-piece construction with no opening parts. Detail is concentrated on the external surfaces: the period coachwork profile, British Racing Green livery, race number, and Bentley Motors Ltd roundels.
Who makes the model and what material is it?
The model is made by Spark Model and cast in resin. Spark Model specialises in 1:43 resin race car models, typically incorporating photo-etched elements for surface and livery accuracy.
What is the historical significance of car No. 2 at the 1930 Le Mans?
Car No. 2, crewed by Frank Clement and Dick Watney, finished second overall behind the winning No. 1 Speed Six of Barnato and Kidston — completing Bentley's 1–2 result and closing out the marque's five-year Le Mans dominance. Clement had been part of the Bentley works programme since the early 1920s.
