Bentley Centenary Celebrations

It is 100 years since the first Bentley roared onto the road and now it’s time to celebrate this amazing achievement!

- Bob Rupani

The 10th of July 2019, marks Bentley’s 100th year, and this performance luxury carmaker, has justifiably been celebrating this landmark in a big way. The 100 extraordinary year’s celebration kicked off at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show in March, and last month on September 9, the largest gathering of Bentley vehicles in the world happened when 1,321 of them arrived at the Bentley Drivers Club Annual Rally, hosted at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance in the incomparable setting of Blenheim Palace, England.

Bentleys from across various eras were on display, including the EXP2 — the oldest Bentley in the world, and the second car built by W.O. Bentley. The EXP 100 GT concept car made its UK debut too, after its unveiling in August at the Monterey Car Week, Pebble Beach, USA. With all generations represented – from the oldest to newest concept, the sight of over a thousand Bentleys gathered in one place was truly sensational. The entire history of Bentley production in Crewe was displayed too, and the Chairman Adrian Hallmark announced a new ‘Continuation Series’ for Sir Tim Birkin’s iconic 1929 4½ litre Team Blower – with 12 new cars to be created by Bentley’s bespoke coach building division, Mulliner. Also making its global debut at Salon Privé was a recently restored 1939 Bentley Corniche. This one-of-one concept car was destroyed at the outbreak of the Second World War and after its painstaking rebuild has had a ‘rebirth’ now.

While Bentley’s year-long centenary celebrations continue, we take a closer look at some of these special activities; including the introduction of British honey bees, at Bentley’s production site in Crewe. Yes, this performance luxury car company is now creating a buzz with the introduction of 1,20,000 “flying bees” of a different kind.