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December 4, 2014
A Bentley Dedicated to Le Mans Legend | Bentley
Bentley Le Mans Limited Edition
Bentley Dedicated to the Legend of Le Mans
Marking 90 years since Bentley's first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 10 years since its last victory, special customizations have been added to Bentley North America.
Text by SUZUKI Fumihiko (OPENERS)
Named After Bentley Boys, Old and New
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which began in 1923, celebrated its 90th anniversary this year. This means 90 years have passed since Bentley's first entry into the endurance race. Furthermore, Bentley returned to Le Mans in 2001 as part of the Volkswagen Group and achieved overall victory in 2003. Thus, 10 years have also passed since then.
To commemorate this, Bentley has created six special models.
Each special model is limited to 48 units and can be applied as a customization option to any current Bentley model chosen by the customer. The differences between the standard models and these "Le Mans Limited Editions" include a numbered badge, a plate on the body side, dedicated wheels, a unique watch face, and special embroidery on the headrests. Additionally, customers can select the body color, interior color, stitching color, and panel from six combinations.
These six customization options are all named after drivers who competed at Le Mans.
First, a customization commemorating the initial participation, which continued until 1930.
During this era, young men known as the "Bentley Boys" competed against marques like Bugatti and Alfa Romeo, achieving four consecutive victories from 1927 to 1930.
"John Duff" is dedicated to one of those Bentley Boys, John Duff, the driver who brought Bentley its first Le Mans victory in 1924.
"Dudley Benjafield" is dedicated to Joseph Dudley Benjafield, a doctor of bacteriology and a founder of the British Racing Drivers' Club.
Woolf Barnato, honored in "Woolf Barnato," was a renowned driver who secured victories for Bentley from 1928 to 1930. He was also a businessman who invested in Bentley Motors and became its chairman in 1927.
"Tim Birkin" is dedicated to Henry "Tim" Birkin. A fighter pilot in World War I, he favored enhancing cars for victory, and the "Blower Bentley," a particularly famous historic Bentley, was his production.
"Glen Kidston" is dedicated to Glen Kidston. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Bentley in 1929 and 1930. A member of the Bentley Boys who achieved a 1-2-3-4 finish in 1930, he was also a courageous aviator.
And "Guy Smith," dedicated to Guy Smith, commemorates the 2003 Le Mans victory. He was the driver of the Bentley "Speed 8" at the moment of victory, Bentley's sixth, after a 73-year hiatus.
The Continental GT, the special edition model for this occasion, is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2013,Mulsanne deliveries in Q3with sales exclusively in North America.
