No 1 Bentley Blower roars again

Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner draped in Dragon Red paint.

Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner draped in Dragon Red paint.

Bentley Cars has revealed a homage to the legendary No 1 Bentley Blower of 1929. Billed as a modern interpretation of a classic racing car and limited to just 100 examples worldwide. No doubt if you have not been offered one already then you are probably not on the list of probable buyers.

And yet. Created by Mulliner the coachwork or bespoke division of Bentley Cars to mark the Centenary of the Marque the bespoke specifications include 18-carat gold plated fender badging, a painted Number 1 on the front grille and a remarkable piece of history, cast from a piston from the original No 1 set within the innovative Bentley Rotating Display. Hand crafted in England and during Bentley’s centenary year this car in the last of the three Limited editions marking the Centenary Trilogy. The previous two being the Bentley Mulsanne WO Edition introduced in 2018 and the Continental GT Number 9 revealed earlier this year.

The Number 1 Edition is based on a 6.0-litre W12 Continental Convertible the ‘ultimate grand tourer.’ Offering agile and exhilarating performance the Number 1 Edition recalls the remarkable car that was responsible for some of the most memorable moments in Bentley’s illustrious past.

A further accent is a distinctive wheel spinner, cast from a piston from the No 1 taken during restoration work. As well as a Bentley Black Line Specification and Carbon Body Kit, the Limited Edition is offered in Dragon Red or Beluga exterior paint, a claret or Beluga folding hood. Inside a new colour split of either Cricket Ball or Beluga main hide is complemented by Heritage hide on the seats and door pads with a debossed B insignia on the headrests and door inserts.

The Grand Black wood veneer is enhanced by 18-carat gold plated organ stops and an Alcantara steering wheel and gear lever. Meanwhile passengers step across a Number 1 treadplate insert as they enter the luxurious cabin. As well as a British Jaeger clock featuring a Number 1 face , the uniquely crafted dashboard also incorporates Engine Spin on the centre console, often referred to as ‘Turned Aluminium’ Engine spin was a popular car and aviation finish in the 1920s and 1930s due to its property of limited light reflection.

Few companies celebrate a century. Fewer still have a racing heritage as distinguished as Bentley Cars. The No 1 Edition by Mulliner is not a footnote, though several feet will be blowing a tune on these select cars’ engines I have no doubt.

Nick Horne, London, England

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