100 Years of Extraordinary: 2019 Calendar of Heritage Events showcasing the best of Bentley past and present

100 Years of Extraordinary – 2019 Calendar of Heritage Events showcasing the best of Bentley past and present

(PRESS RELEASE) CREWE, 1-Feb-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — In 2019, Bentley enters its Centenary year. The 10th of July 2019 marks Bentley’s 100th year and this extraordinary milestone – reached by only a special few companies – will be a cause for celebration of the company’s history, its global success today and its exciting future. For the occasion Bentley is organising a series of classic and heritage events through out the year to mark its 100th anniversary. The year begins with a VIP event: the oldest remaining and first racing model – EXP 2 – will be shown at Retromobile, between 6-10 February at Salon des Expositions, Porte de Versailles.

Bentley’s stand in Paris will offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the heritage and the innovation of the British luxury car manufacturer.

The historic EXP 2 will be accompanied by the all-new Continental GT Convertible at the Retromobile show in Porte de Versailles.

The two models, separated by 100 years of automotive evolution, share fundamental Bentley characteristics: both are genuine Grand Tourers; both offer sector-defining levels of performance; and both feature innovative technology at their core.

In 2019, Retromobile celebrates its 44^th anniversary and is expecting well over 120,000 visitors to attend from all over the world.

During the first years of its existence W.O. Bentley made three prototypes:

• EXP 1 (EXPerimental No.1)
• EXP 2
• EXP 3 – better known as ‘The Cab’ and W.O.’s personal car

Bentley EXP 2 is actually the oldest Bentley in existence, which debuted at the 1919 Olympia Motor Show. The EXP 2 is a landmark car in the Bentley’s 100-year history.

2019 Calendar of Heritage Events showcasing the best of Bentley past and present

• 44th Salon Rétromobile, 6-10 February, Paris, France
• 13th Annual Boca Concours d’Elegance, 22-24 February, Boca Raton, Florida, US
• W.O. Bonhams exhibition, 11 April, London
• Bentley Drivers Club Centenary Extraordinary Drive, 15-31 March, Castle of Mey – Crewe – London
• Benjafield Racing Club, W.O. race, 13 April, Silverstone race track
• Mille Miglia, 15-18 May, Brescia – Rome – Brescia, IT
• 24 Hours of Le Mans, 15-16 June, Le Mans, France
• RREC Annual Rally & Concours, 21 June, Burghley house, England
• Chantilly Arts & Elegance, 30 June, Chantilly, France
• RROC National Meeting, 22-27 July, Detroit, US
• Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, 18 August, Carmel, California, US
• Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance, 6-8 September, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK

In 1919 Walter Owen (W.O.) Bentley created a company with a simple objective: to build “a fast car, a good car, the best in its class”. This guiding principle has driven Bentley ever since, pushing the brand forward and making it the leader in automotive luxury around the world today.

SOURCE: Bentley