Bentley Heritage Collection Wins Big at Pebble Beach, Salon Privé and Hampton Court

Bentley Heritage Collection marks a successful summer with wins at Pebble Beach, Salon Privé and Hampton Court, celebrating 50 historic cars and future Flying Spur plans.

The summer season proved to be a landmark moment for the Bentley Heritage Collection, which now comprises 50 historic cars — 40 road-legal vehicles and 10 race-ready machines. Over the past months, the collection scored three major victories at prestigious concours events, a fitting celebration of its recent restoration and expansion.

The star of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was the one-of-one 1939 Mk V Corniche. Lost during World War II and painstakingly rebuilt over nearly two decades by Derby-era enthusiasts, the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, and Mulliner’s craftsmen, the car became the first manufacturer-entered model ever to be fully judged in the event’s 75-year history. Now re-registered on its original plate, GRA 270, the Corniche completed the Tour d’Elegance drive along the Monterey coastline before appearing on the main lawn.

At Salon Privé, Bentley’s 1953 R Type Continental JAS 949 secured Best-in-Class in the category for HJ Mulliner-bodied cars. This historically significant coupé, the inspiration behind the modern Continental GT’s design language, retains its original engine and paint and underwent a careful mini-restoration ahead of the show. The trophy now stands proudly beside the car inside the Heritage Garage in Crewe.

The third highlight came from the 1930 8 Litre Weymann saloon, once driven personally by W.O. Bentley for around 18 months. Powered by a 7.9-litre straight-six producing roughly 220 hp, it was considered Bentley’s greatest achievement. Entered in a new manufacturers’ class at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance, the car won the award for best manufacturer-entered vehicle, accompanied by a ten-car display spanning 1926 to 2012.

Mike Sayer, Head of the Heritage Collection, noted that these accolades validate the quality and condition of the fleet, which now serves as a “living archive” regularly consulted by Bentley’s R&D teams. This dialogue between past and future, he suggested, helps shape new models while showcasing Bentley’s heritage around the globe. Looking ahead, the focus turns to three anniversaries in Bentley’s four-door lineage, to be celebrated in October with three bespoke Flying Spurs — details are expected next month.