[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bentleys-centenary-year\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bentleys-centenary-year\/","headline":"Bentley’s celebrates its centenary year","name":"Bentley’s celebrates its centenary year","description":"With Bentley celebrating its centenary this year, take a look back at some of the brand\u2019s most iconic creations. Bentley is undoubtedly one of the most famous names to ever emerge from the automotive world and its rich history and heritage is being recognised this year as part of celebrations to mark the brand\u2019s centenary. The company has been involved in the creation of some truly incredible machines in the past 100 years and has even set its sights on […]","datePublished":"2019-05-30","dateModified":"2019-05-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Bentley-Centenary-badge-Feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Bentley-Centenary-badge-Feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bentleys-centenary-year\/","about":["Bentley","Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":462,"keywords":["Bentley","Bentley centenary year","Bentley Models"],"articleBody":"With Bentley celebrating its centenary this year, take a look back at some of the brand\u2019s most iconic creations.Bentley is undoubtedly one of themost famous names to ever emerge from the automotive world and its rich historyand heritage is being recognised this year as part of celebrations to mark thebrand\u2019s centenary.The company has been involved inthe creation of some truly incredible machines in the past 100 years and haseven set its sights on the future by unveiling some new models at the recentAuto Shanghai event.Here are five models which wethink comfortably rank among the brand\u2019s very best.The 3 LitreWhere else could we start than atthe very beginning? W O Bentley founded the company in July 1919 and sethimself the target of simply making \u201ca fast car, a good car, the best in itsclass\u201d. In production from 1921 to 1929, the 3 Litre was his first effort atachieving that ambition.Among the model\u2019s greatestachievements was the fact that it won the 24 Hours race at Le Mans twice \u2013 in1924 and again in 1927.The 8 LitreOne of the classic cars on displayduring the brand\u2019s appearance at Auto Shanghai, the 8 Litre was regarded as W OBentley\u2019s best Grand Tourer on its launch in 1930. The company\u2019s founder saidhe always had a dream of creating a \u201cdead silent 100mph car\u201d and believed thismodel hit the target.Incredibly, Bentley had to sellhis own model in 1931 but it was then bought back and restored by BentleyMotors in 2006.R-Type ContinentalBentley regards this car as havingset the template for grand touring and the brand claims it remains aninspiration to this day.Just 208 of the cars were madebetween 1952 and 1955 and weight was such a key factor in its construction thatthe bodywork was aluminium and a radio was not fitted as standard.Continental GTJumping forward through thedecades we are now looking at one of the brand\u2019s modern classics. The thirdgeneration Continental GT is described by the company as the world\u2019s pinnacleGrand Tourer and won a host of awards across the globe in 2018 alone.The News UK Motor Awards named itLuxury Car of the Year, while BBC\u2019s Top Gear magazine named it GT of the Year.Mulsanne WO Edition by MullinerA car which made its debut at AutoShanghai, the limited edition Mulsanne WO has been created in tribute to thecompany\u2019s founder.A slice of crankshaft taken from WO Bentley\u2019s own 8 Litre is displayed in each of the 100 Mulsannes, with themodels also boasting key features including a colour split interior cut fromHeritage Hide and a handcrafted cocktail cabinet in the rear."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Bentley’s celebrates its centenary year","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bentleys-centenary-year\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]