BENTLEY CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

FOUNDED IN a London mews by WO Bentley, and celebrating its centenary on July 10, 2019, Bentley Motors debuted the ultimate version of the all-new Continental GT at the recent Geneva Motorshow.

The 333km/h Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner, of which just 100 will be made – celebrating each of Bentley’s years – is inspired by Bentley’s famous motorsport past with a number of distinctive features added to the standard W-12 two-door Grand Touring coupe.

The original Number 9 was the supercharged Bentley ‘Blower’ raced by Sir Henry Ralph Stanley ‘Tim’ Birkin at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours. It is arguably one of the most famous race cars of all time.

Birkin commissioned the production of a series of supercharged 4.5-litre Bentleys, with the result that the striking green pre-war racing Bentleys achieved icon status in period British motorsport.

Each Continental GT Number 9 will feature Bentley history, with a wood insert from the seat of Sir Tim’s Le Mans racer located in the middle of the centre dial in the rotating backlit display.

The Number 9 Edition by Mulliner is recognised by its Viridian Green or Beluga black paint and 21-inch 10-spoke wheels, carbon body trimmings and black accents along with Number 9 badge work and a bold, matching front grille graphic.

Interior trim of the stunning new Bentley offers a choice of Cumbrian Green or Beluga heritage leather upholstery with the centre console covered in ‘Engine Spin’, or turned aluminium, a popular racing car and aviation finish of the 1920s and 30s.

All 100 cars have 18K goldplated control knobs inspired by those in the No.9 ‘Blower’ and ‘1 of 100’ tread plates.

No word on pricing yet, but expect these 100 cars to be snapped up faster than their 0-100km/h time.