Bentley’s Heritage Collection wins three prestigious awards 

Words by Mark Slack

Bentley’s expanded Heritage Collection has seen three special results over the summer, attending motoring events including two class wins to mark the completion of the task to rebuild the collection. It now stands at 50 cars, 40 driveable, road legal models and 10 ready-to-go racing machines.

The company’s new EXP 15 design concept was on the Concept Lawn at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, on the main show field was a one-of-one 1939 Mk V Corniche becoming the first ever manufacturer-entered car to be fully judged in the event’s 75 years history.

Reborn over the course of a 15+ year project, initially by a team of dedicated Derby era Bentley enthusiasts and the Rolls Royce Heritage Trust before being completed with the assistance of Mulliner, the Corniche has recently been re-registered on its original number plate – GRA 270.

At this year’s Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace, Bentley’s 1953 R Type Continental – JAS 949 – was entered into the dedicated class for classic cars with H J Mulliner coachwork. It collected Best in Class Award.

Finally, one of the most important cars in the company’s collection entered the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance. Bentley’s 8-Litre Weymann saloon is deemed by many to be W O Bentley’s finest creation. It is the second of the 100 cars built and was driven by W O himself for around 18 months with regular trips across to France. 

It still serves today as the ceremonial Chairman’s car with spare keys kept, with a model of the car, in the CEO’s office. The 8-Litre won the award for best manufacturer entered car and was joined by a 10-car display from the collection spanning 1926 to 2012.

Words by Mark Slack