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Classic Bentleys ready for action-packed summer season
Press release issued by Bentley Motors
May 21, 2015
 

- Famous heritage models hit international classic show circuit
- 95 years of history to tour from Goodwood to Pebble Beach
- 85th anniversary of ‘Blue Train’ race and 1930 Le Mans win

(Crewe, 21 May 2015)
Legendary cars from Bentley’s past are embarking on a tour of the world’s premier heritage and historical automotive events this summer.

The ‘Blue Train’ car that famously raced the Calais-Mediterranée Express and the Team Blower that entered Le Mans in 1930 – the race ultimately won by Bentley Boys Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston in Speed 6 'Old No 1' – are among the highlights of Bentley’s curated or treasured collection. Both are celebrating anniversaries and will be on the road at numerous international events between May and October.

‘Blue Train’ Bentley
This year is the 85th anniversary of that most famous Bentley Boy adventure – the Blue Train race. The car that (probably) accomplished the feat will be touring Europe with a series of high-profile appearances.

In 1930 Captain Woolf Barnato, Chairman of Bentley Motors, was staying in Cannes when he accepted a wager that not only could he beat the Calais-Mediterranée Express (or ‘Blue Train’) back to Calais, but that he could be at his club in London before the train even reached the English Channel.

He was, and the remarkable victory has resonated with Bentley enthusiasts ever since. The car that was believed to have accomplished the feat was the iconic Gurney Nutting two-door fastback coupe. In recent years evidence has emerged to suggest Barnato drove his Mulliner saloon-bodied Speed 6, however, it is the coupe that will forever be known as The Blue Train car.

It is this car that will be touring Europe appearing at seven events between May and October, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 25-28 June, and Schloss Bensberg Classics, Bensberg, Germany (17-19 July).

Team Blower
One of just five built for racing, the Team Blower was used by the original Bentley racing team of the late 1920s, and is still performing over eight decades later.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston Le Mans victory in 1930. While the Blower wasn’t the winning car that day, with Tim Birkin at the wheel its heroic performance embodies the true spirit of the vintage racing era.

Featuring the legendary supercharger installation developed by Amherst Villiers, the Blower will be making a pilgrimage to Le Mans in France from 12-14 June before heading across the Atlantic to the Pebble Beach Concours in California in August.

EXP2
A legacy of the Cricklewood era, EXP2 is the oldest Bentley in existence. Built in 1920, the 3-litre 4-cylinder car has a top speed of 80mph, so it’s unsurprising that it was a successful racer in its day – claiming the brand’s first ever victory.

Driven by W.O. Bentley’s mechanic and Bentley Boy Frank Clement, Bentley’s racing pedigree was established in May 1921 at the Whitsun Junior Handicap. The EXP2 can be seen at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power in Cheshire, England from 12-14 June.

8 Litre
Built in 1930, the 8 Litre was W.O. Bentley’s personal car, and was reacquired by Bentley in 2006 before being restored to its original condition.

Extremely luxurious, yet with a top speed of 100mph, the 8 Litre combines craftsmanship with performance, drawing parallels with Bentley’s current flagship, the Mulsanne. The 8 Litre can be seen at the Bentley Drivers’ Club Weekend, Banbury, from 27-28 June.

Continental R-Type
It was the R-Type which first brought the Continental name into Bentley lexicon in 1952. With a top speed of 120mph this was the fastest four-seater in the world at the time. Many of the 208 examples produced were coach built by Mulliner – a name that is still closely associated with Continental to this day.

The Continental R-Type will also be at the Bentley Drivers’ Club Weekend, Banbury (27-28 June).

Events or Tour dates
Kitzbuehel Alpine Rally, Austria 25-31 May Blue Train
Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, Cheshire 12-14 June EXP2 and Blower
Le Mans 12-14 June Team Blower
Goodwood Festival of Speed 25-25 June Blue Train and Team Blower
Bentley Drivers’ Club Weekend, Banbury 27-28 June 8 Litre and R-Type Continental
Schloss Bensberg Classics, Bensberg, Germany 17-19 July Blue Train
Schloss Dyck Classic Days, Jüchen, Germany 31 July – 2 August Blue Train
Pebble Beach, Concours d’Elegance, California 12-16 August Blower
Concours D’Elegance, Hollyrood, Edinburgh 4-6 September Blue Train and Team Blower
Zoute Grand Prix, Knokke Le Zoute, Belgium

8-11 October Blue Train
 
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Posted on May 28, 2015
 
 
 
 
Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photograph received from Simon Hunt for Chassis No. RL3439
Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Dick Clay for Chassis No. 147
Sep 29, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Ernst Jan Krudop for his Chassis No. AX1651
Sep 28, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Lars Hedborg for his Chassis No. KL3590
Sep 25, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. XV 3207
Sep 24, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. YM 7165
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