Six Bentley milestones at Le Mans Classic with a European premiere

• Recently announced GT #LeMans Collection to be viewed for the first time
• Celebration of #Bentley milestones at 2023 #LeMansclassic with unique experiences
• Comprehensive collection of #Bentley models on display, statically and dynamically from the past and present: https://www.Bentleymedia.com/en/le-mans-history
• 75 historic Bentleys to race as part of the Benjafield’s Club
• Unique experiences throughout the #Event: https://www.Bentleymotors.com/en/world-of-Bentley/experiences/Events/le-mans-classic.html 

(Munich, 23 June) The recently-announced #Bentley #continentalgt #LeMans Collection will make its European static debut at 2023 #LeMansclassic as part of the largest presence by #Bentley to date. The public will be able to enjoy different #Bentley touchpoints next to the village, in the paddock, and at the ‘raccordement’.

This year’s #LeMansclassic will see a collection of #Bentley models, displayed statically at the Club Azure/Garden 24, adjacent to the heart of the #LeMans track, the village and in the paddock. To celebrate the sixth win of #Bentley at #LeMans 24 Hours, the brand is highlighting six milestones honouring the history of the brand.

MILESTONE 1: GT #LeMans COLLECTION – 1 OUT OF 24

Firstly, a limited-edition of 48 Continental GTs globally, including 24 coupes in Europe, have been created to mark 20 years since Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of #LeMans, and 100 years since the first running of the legendary race. Each of the exclusive GT #LeMans Collection features unique product content such as the three-way #Bentley Rotating Display, offering a choice of touchscreen, dual veneer or analogue dials – but with a twist; in place of the standard central dial is a Vitrine displaying an engine valve from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the 2003 #LeMans winning #Bentley #speed8. The car will be displayed in the Club Azure area.

MILESTONE 2: 2002 #speed8 002/6

While the latter made its return to #LeMans, taking part in the centenary celebrations of the ultimate motorsport marathon, the car is now displayed in the #LeMans museum accessible to the public and the #Bentley guests. In front of the #Bentley Club Azure, its sister car will be displayed, the #speed8 from 2002. #Bentley 002/6 was the sole #Bentley entry for the 2002 #LeMans, a year after Team Bentley’s remarkable debut third place finish. Running as car #8, it finished in fourth place. This model will be seen in front of the Club Azure in the public area alongside another key moment for the brand at #LeMans.

MILESTONE 3: 1929 #412litresupercharged BLOWER AND BLOWER CONTINUATION 

The 1929 4½ Litre Supercharged, team car #2, UU 5872 will indeed be statically displayed. No pre-war #Bentley had an impact like the 4½ Litre ‘Blower’ #Bentley. Its thunderous performance thrilled thousands - including author Ian Fleming, who later gave fictional hero James Bond a supercharged 4½ Litre #Bentley. UU 5872 was driven by #Bentley Boy Henry (Tim) Birkin at #LeMans in 1930. Owned by #Bentley Motors since 2000, the UU 5872 is today part of the #heritage Garage located within the original 1930s brick-built factory and was previously the ‘project forum’, where models such as the 2003 #continentalgt were planned and developed.

Part of the centenary of #Bentley Motors, the company announced the creation of a continuation series of 12 #Bentley Blowers, using laser-scanned 3D CAD data taken from the No. 2 Team Car, which have now been all delivered. Out of the 12, a pair of Blower Continuation Series cars will take part in the Grid 1 race. Both the factory-owned Blower Car Zero and a customer car will be racing, with the former building on its recent first test race at Donington Park in the UK.

MILESTONE 4: 1938 #Corniche 41/4 LITRE CORNICHE 

The ‘Embiricos’ 4¼ Litre #Bentley of 1938 inspired #Bentley to create an aerodynamic Mark V called the #Corniche, which was the precursor to the iconic R Type Continental of 1952. In the late 1930s the ‘Embiricos’ #Bentley had shown the value of aerodynamics for fast road and track driving. Its success inspired #Bentley to commission a one-off four-door Mark V in a similar ‘streamlined’ style. Though it never saw production, the #Corniche is a significant model in Bentley’s history. It is finished in period-correct Imperial Maroon with a side flash of Heather Grey, while the interior was trimmed in typical Vanvooren style using the correct Connolly Vaumol hide and West of England cloth. The #Corniche will be displayed in the paddock.

MILESTONE 5: 1953 #rtype AND ITS RELATED GT V8 AZURE – STYLE ICON

The 1953 #rtype JAS 949 is one of only 208 examples of the R Type Continental ever built – but the car had a greater impact than the limited numbers suggest. Quoted as ‘a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances’, the #rtype Continental was the fastest four-seat luxury saloon in the world when launched in 1952. For the 70th birthday, a unique and one-off handcrafted #continentalgt Azure has been created by #Bentley Motors Limited. Both will be accessible to be viewed in the main exhibition hall.

MILESTONE 6: 2019 #Bentley #mullinerbatur – 1 OUT OF 18

Showcasing the new design language of the brand, the #Bentley #mullinerbatur will be exhibited in the paddock. Limited to just 18 series examples, the Batur is the most powerful #Bentley yet, with a 750 PS version of the iconic, hand-assembled W12 engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. As the engine enters its final phase of its life, with the ordering ending this year, #Bentley is on its Beyond100 strategy journey to be fully electrified next year. The exemplar displayed at #LeMansclassic is the second development Batur, Engineering car Zero-Zero, featuring beautiful paintwork in Mulliner Gloss Mariana Teal Pearlescent, as well as some exciting features such as lower body styling in Satin Carbon Fibre, an endless bonnet in Gloss Dark Titanium finish,machined titanium organ stops with machined aluminium stalk controls, gear knob accents and bullseye vent surrounds. Additionally, the Batur features the latest Naim for Mulliner Upgrade Hifi System developed specifically for the Batur.

Last but not least 75 historic #Bentley will be racing as part of the Benjafield’s Club. When not racing, the public will be able to see all the cars 2 minutes away from the Club Azure.

Le Mans Classic promises to be the most exciting one to date with the largest #Bentley presence ever.