Crewe, 10 September 2025 – Bentley Motors has marked a triumphant summer across some of the world’s most prestigious automotive concours events, with its expanded Heritage Collection securing three landmark achievements. From first-ever honours to class victories, the Collection’s showcase underscores Bentley’s ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating more than a century of automotive excellence.
The 1939 Mk V Corniche made history at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by becoming the first manufacturer-entered car in the event’s 75-year history to be fully judged. Rebuilt over 15 years by Derby-era enthusiasts and the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, with the finishing touches provided by Mulliner, the one-of-one Corniche was recently re-registered on its original plate, GRA 270. Ahead of the Concours, it completed the iconic ‘Tour d’Elegance’ along the Monterey coastline, a fitting prelude to its historic judging.
At the Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace, Bentley’s 1953 R Type Continental – JAS 949 – secured Best-in-Class in the dedicated category for HJ Mulliner coachwork. The car, restored to immaculate condition, is now accompanied by its trophy in Bentley’s Heritage Garage at Crewe, cementing its status as the first Heritage Collection vehicle to receive a formal Concours award. This model also exemplifies the design DNA that would inspire the modern Continental GT, linking Bentley’s storied past to its present-day icons.
Finally, the 1930 8 Litre Weymann saloon, originally driven by W.O. Bentley himself, triumphed at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance, taking the award for Best Manufacturer-Entered Car. The 8 Litre, widely regarded as one of W.O. Bentley’s finest achievements, remains the ceremonial ‘Chairman’s car’, with spare keys kept alongside a scale model in the CEO’s office. Joining the 8 Litre at Hampton Court was a ten-car display spanning the Collection from 1926 to 2012, further highlighting Bentley’s rich heritage in the four-door saloon segment.
Mike Sayer, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, commented:
“The recent recognition of the quality, condition and importance of the Bentleys that have attended concours events over the summer is testament to the hard work of the team in Crewe who have helped to rejuvenate the Collection. It now represents the entire company history, with 50 extraordinary, driveable vehicles that together describe the evolution of Bentley design, performance and craftsmanship. The entire fleet is now regularly consulted by Bentley’s R&D teams to help inform the future, and we will continue to use the cars to guide new developments while showcasing our history at events around the world.”
Looking ahead, the Heritage Collection will turn its attention to three significant anniversaries in Bentley’s four-door sedan lineage, to be celebrated in October with bespoke Flying Spurs. Full details of these bespoke celebrations will be revealed next month.
With these concours successes, Bentley continues to reinforce its legacy, blending meticulous preservation with forward-looking innovation—demonstrating that the marque’s history is not just a record of the past, but a living resource for the future of luxury motoring.
