Bentley is celebrating two significant milestones by creating six new Mulsanne and Continental Le Mans limited edition models. The occasion is the 90th anniversary of the first legendary Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race in which Bentley had participated and the 10th anniversary of Bentley’s victory in 2003. Bentley has won the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race six times and each commemorative model is inspired by a driver who featured in Bentley’s six victories. The drivers have also contributed significantly to the success of Bentley in the races and in fact the group of drivers with Bentley in the early years of Le Mans races was popularly known as the Bentley Boys.
Bentley Won the Race for Four Consecutive Years
W.O. Bentley, the founder of the car company was an enthusiastic supporter of motor racing and concentrated on it to build the Bentley brand. It provided him with a good platform to showcase the company’s skills and engineering competence. In the 1923 Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race Bentley was the sole British entry and was placed fourth. However they won their first race the very next year in 1924. They were the dominant participants between the years 1927 and 1930 and won the prestigious event four times consecutively. They had to wait 83 years for their next victory which came in the 2003 event with Guy Smith driving the Speed 8 across the finish line.
Different Models Will Roll Out in 2nd and 3rd Quarters
Bentley will be producing 48 units of each of the ‘Le Mans Limited Edition’ model. The cars will come with a unique Le Mans Edition numbered badge. The cars will also feature Le Mans Edition clock face, embroidered Le Mans badge to each headrest, tread plates with the limited edition name, unique Le Mans Edition wheels and specific interior veneers and exterior colors. The Continental GT models will roll out first and become available in the second quarter of 2013. Mulsanne Le Mans Edition models will become ready for delivery in the third quarter. Christophe Georges, President and COO, Bentley Motors, Inc. is excited about the new models that showcase the handcrafted luxury through the heritage inspired specifications.
