As seen at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Bentley has once again defied the conventions of the auto industry, unveiling its historic 1929 supercharged 4½-litre "Blowers" as continuation race cars at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Prepared by Mulliner, Bentley's bespoke and coachwork division, these cars represent a venture into uncharted territory for the iconic British carmaker.
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Back in 2019, Bentley revealed its ambitious plan to recreate its famed pre-war race cars, not as replicas but as authentic, race-ready continuation cars. These limited-run vehicles would be built using many of the original tools, materials, molds, and blueprints employed almost a century ago, in a project that blends the best of vintage craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology.
Fast forward to 2023, and the stunning result of this visionary project was showcased at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the revamped Speed Six and the Blower continuation car — referred to as 'Car Zero' — made their spectacular debuts. Bentley's extraordinary commitment to recreating these vehicles as faithfully as possible meant that the 12-car series resumed production where it left off over 90 years ago, albeit enhanced by digital scanning to ensure absolute fidelity to the original models.
The continuation project of the 1929 supercharged 4½-litre "Blowers" signifies Bentley's respect for its illustrious history and its ambition to bring that legacy back to life on the modern race track. It further exemplifies the carmaker's ability to meld the storied craftsmanship of the past with contemporary technology, creating a tangible link between the iconic races of yesteryear and the modern racing era.
The sight of the reborn Blower screaming up the Goodwood hill is more than a spectacle. It represents the successful realization of a unique venture and heralds a thrilling new chapter in Bentley's racing history, as these authentic continuation models of the 1929 supercharged "Blowers" are built not just to be admired, but to be raced.
Though Bentley has set the bar high with this remarkable project, it also sends a potent reminder of the thrilling potential that lies in the fusion of historic automotive craft with modern technology. These vehicles are more than a testament to Bentley's rich heritage; they also serve as an inspiration for future innovations in the realm of high-performance motor racing.
