It’s been 20 full years since Bentley revived its longstanding history of victory at Le Mans and captured its sixth win in the 24-hour classic, continuing a heritage that proudly dated back to the 1920s. In honor of that landmark, and in celebration of Bentley’s century-plus of constructing some of the world’s most premium automobiles, the Crewe firm will produce an extremely limited run of Bentley Continental GT and GTC coupes that will artfully recognize Bentley’s triumphant return to the Sarthe circuit.
This year marks a century since the first Bentley arrived at Le Mans and set the race’s fastest lap. The commemoration cars will be build in a total run of just 48 units worldwide, festooned with interior accoutrements that salute Bentley’s racing history: The normal rotating display in the interior will include a valve from the engine of the Speed 8 that won Le Mans in 2003, along with six winning wreaths, a Speed 8 silhouette treadplate and 24 hour clock. Powered by Bentley’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12, the commemoration cars will feature a number 7 in their grilles in honor of the 2003 winner, presented in almost Blower Bentley style.
Jim Donnelly On Wheels 