Event

Techno-Classica, Essen - April 2015

10 Jun 2015

This year, Bentley Heritage Team supported the Techno-Classica car show, which is the largest show in Europe for Vintage, Classic and Prestige Automobiles, Motorsport, Motorcycles and Spare Parts – Techno-Classica in Essen. With over 1,000 exhibitors from 28 countries and 230 Classic/Heritage car clubs, this was an ideal place to meet our customers and introduce the new parts website. In addition, over 190,000 visitors had a chance to visit the Bentley stand and see the historic 1930 Speed 6.5, and the debut of the Mulliner Limited Edition Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’.

The show was a perfect opportunity to launch this new model which is hand-crafted in Crewe and to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ‘Blue Train Race’. In 1930 Captain Woolf Barnato, Chairman of Bentley Motors and pioneering ‘Bentley Boy’, was staying at Cannes in the Carlton Hotel and accepted a wager that not only could his Speed 6.5 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. Despite the Automobile Club de France trying to fine him £200 for an un-authorised race in France as he successfully won his challenge, averaging 43.43 MPH on pre-motorway roads. This victory was so remarkable; it has been talked about ever since.

The new ‘Blue Train’ Limited Edition model is produced by the skilled craftsmen and women within Bentley’s bespoke coach building division, Mulliner and each one features a number of delightful historical references and modern interpretations of design details from the original Speed Six.

Robert Engstler, Regional Director Europe said, ‘The fact that we are producing just four of these Limited Editions is highly significant, as Barnato famously made it to the club in London, four minutes before the train arrived in Calais. The unique design elements bring back nostalgic memories of one of the most legendary Bentleys of all times.’

For more information about the car please contact an Authorised Bentley Dealer.