Bentley Toothsome Threesome

The stage is set for the world debut of three Bentley models crafted by its Mulliner Division of the Crewe factory at this year’s Salon Prive’ to be held at the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from 22nd September to 26th September.

This event celebrates the special Bentley and Mulliner bond which began in 1959 when the Crewe company absorbed the old coach building business of HJ Mulliner. The firm claims to be the world’s oldest coach builder when the former saddler, with roots going back to the 16th Century, refocused on a business making and maintaining carriages for the Royal Mail.

 

 

Today around 40 skilled employees carry on this tradition within Bentley’s former engineering experimental department creating bespoke examples of Bentley’s already magnificent motors. The three ultra special examples on display at Blenheim showcase different examples of today’s exceptional skill set.

Brand new is what is destined to be the rarest two-door sporting Bentley of recent times. The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar makes its first public airing and is the very epitome of open two-seater luxury on wheels. Only 12 examples are to be constructed and have already been sold to a discerning few and privileged customers meaning they will almost certainly join the ranks of the world’s most desirable and sought-after motor cars.

Each one will be specified to each lucky owner’s particular requirements. So if you are not already on the list this may be one of the few occasions that you will ever see one in the metal.

The second in this triumvirate is the recreation of the 1929 Blower Bentley as championed by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin. Again a dozen vehicles will be fashioned and the example at Salon Prive’ is the result of twelve months of work on recreations based upon the total restoration of the original now owned by Bentley Motors.

The final part of this trio of delights is an as yet unannounced new model. How exciting is that?

And just when you thought the drooling had to stop two other iconic Bentleys from the Heritage Collection will grace the Blenheim environs. A mammoth 1930 8-litre Bentley with HJ Mulliner bodywork used by old WO himself as his ‘company car’. And a Mulliner-bodied 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental still considered by many to be unsurpassed in beauty yet, in its day, was one of the fastest and most capable four seater grand tourers in the world.