Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’ edition
Woolf Barnato unquestionably played a key role in Bentley’s early history. He became majority shareholder and chairman in the 1920s and, as one of the original Bentley Boys, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1928, 1929 and 1930.
Another feat that demonstrated his prowess behind the wheel was the unofficial Blue Train race of 1930. Staged in response to a bet, the event started in Cannes as the Calais-Mediterranée Express departed on its return trip to the English Channel.
To be victorious, Barnato would have to reach the Conservative Club in St James's, London before ‘le Train Bleu’ arrived in Calais. Eventually, he and co-driver Dale Bourn triumphed by a margin of just four minutes. The car they used was a Bentley Speed Six with H. J. Mulliner saloon bodywork.
85 years later, Bentley has created the Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’ by Mulliner special edition to celebrate that achievement.
%2BFront%2BSide.jpg "Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train' by Mulliner (2015) Front Side")
Unique features include a square-mesh front grille and exclusive doorsill kick plate plaques. Also part of the specification is a hamper trimmed in camel hide and burnt oak. It contains an angora picnic rug, crystal champagne flutes, silver-plated cutlery and a porcelain crockery set.
Completing the package is a wooden dashboard veneer which, mistakenly, appears to depict the Bentley Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupé that was apparently delivered to Barnato after the famous dash through France. Confusingly, he decided to call this car the ‘Blue Train Special’.
%2BDashboard%2BVeneer%2BDetail.jpg "Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train' by Mulliner (2015) Dashboard Veneer Detail")
Production of the Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’ is being limited to just four examples. Unfortunately for UK customers, all are destined to go to continental Europe.
Related posts:
2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed launched
Bentley Mulsanne 95 marks 95 years
Another feat that demonstrated his prowess behind the wheel was the unofficial Blue Train race of 1930. Staged in response to a bet, the event started in Cannes as the Calais-Mediterranée Express departed on its return trip to the English Channel.
To be victorious, Barnato would have to reach the Conservative Club in St James's, London before ‘le Train Bleu’ arrived in Calais. Eventually, he and co-driver Dale Bourn triumphed by a margin of just four minutes. The car they used was a Bentley Speed Six with H. J. Mulliner saloon bodywork.
85 years later, Bentley has created the Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’ by Mulliner special edition to celebrate that achievement.
%2BFront%2BSide.jpg "Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train' by Mulliner (2015) Front Side")
Unique features include a square-mesh front grille and exclusive doorsill kick plate plaques. Also part of the specification is a hamper trimmed in camel hide and burnt oak. It contains an angora picnic rug, crystal champagne flutes, silver-plated cutlery and a porcelain crockery set.
Completing the package is a wooden dashboard veneer which, mistakenly, appears to depict the Bentley Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupé that was apparently delivered to Barnato after the famous dash through France. Confusingly, he decided to call this car the ‘Blue Train Special’.
%2BDashboard%2BVeneer%2BDetail.jpg "Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train' by Mulliner (2015) Dashboard Veneer Detail")
Production of the Bentley Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’ is being limited to just four examples. Unfortunately for UK customers, all are destined to go to continental Europe.
Related posts:
2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed launched
Bentley Mulsanne 95 marks 95 years
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