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Bentley are heading to the 2013 Mille Miglia with two 4 1/2 litre Supercharged Blower Bentleys, one a former demonstrator the other run by Tim Birkin.
The first is the No.2 Team Car raced by Tim Birkin – one of the Bentley Boys – at Le Mans and bought back by Bentley in 2000. Perhaps best known for its tussle with Mercedes’ awesome 7 litre Kompressor at Le Mans in 2013, the car has been regularly put to good use round the world since Bentley bought it back.
The second Blower was originally a Bentley demonstrator, completed in 1930, and has a Vandan Plas Open Sports Four Seater body and after its life as a demonstrator was sold off but bought back in 1997 and it too has been carrying the historical banner for Bentley around the world ever since.
Richard Charlesworth Bentley’s Director of Royal and VIP Relations, said of the Birkin Bentley:
This is a fantastic car to drive and remains extremely rapid as well. We take great pride in making sure all the cars Bentley owns continue to regularly compete or run and are not museum exhibits, which is very much the Bentley way, and we are all looking forward to the unique Mille Miglia experience.
And of the former Blower demonstrator he said:
There are currently over 100,000 miles on this elegant Blower Bentley but we’re certain it has completed many more than this.
However, everyone at Bentley is confident the car will run for many, many years to come and will complete the 1,000 mile round-trip to and from Brescia.
The Blower Bentleys in the flesh are an awesome sight, and on the move even more stunning. They alone are reason enough to grab a few days in Italy if you can.
Bigman says
Glorious cars!