To commemorate the 20th anniversary of their sixth 24 Hours of Le Mans victory, Bentley are creating a limited edition of just 48 Le Mans Collection Continental GT and GTC’s. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the most prestigious twice around the clock sports car endurance race. The first 24 Hours of Le Mans took place May 26 and 27, 1923. One Bentley competed in that inaugural race and finished 4th overall.

Powering these new Le Mans Collection ultra-luxury performance machines is Bentley’s legendary 6.0 litre twin turbo W12 cylinder engine with 650 bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque. That is enough power to launch these two ton coupes and convertibles from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Top speed is 208 mph or 335 km/h.

They are only available in one colour, Verdant green with a Moonbeam racing stripe. The No. 7 on the front grille is there to celebrate the No. 7 Bentley Speed 8 that won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans. That Team Bentley LMGTP prototype race car was driven by Rinaldo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Guy Smith (UK). The No. 8 Bentley Speed 8 prototype car driven by Mark Blundell (UK), David Brabham (Australia) and Johnny Herbert (UK) finished 2nd, sweeping the top two steps of the podium.

“I think the whole thing’s crazy,” was W.O. Bentley’s reaction when he heard that one of his cars was going to be competing in the 1923 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Nobody’ll finish. Cars aren’t designed to take that sort of strain for 24 hours.” Following privateer racer John Duff efforts in 1923, Bentley Motors entered in 1924 with a works car and won. It was their first of 5 wins over 7 years. The Bentley matrix grille was originally used in the 1920’s to prevent stones from puncturing the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans race track.

Pricing details for the new Le Mans Collection GT and GTC’s has not been released. Current model W12 GT and GTC ‘s cost more than $400,000 Canadian.

Photography By Bentley