A Gentleman’s Race: 100 Years of the Bentley 6½ Litre

France, summer 1924. W.O. Bentley is on his way back from the Grand Prix in Lyon in a prototype when, on a country road, he happens to come across a rival’s test car. A Rolls-Royce. What follows is a spontaneous showdown at over 130 km/h. The Bentley comes out on top, but its driver feels the lead isn’t big enough. Back in England, W.O. has the six-cylinder engine overhauled and increases the displacement from 4.5 to 6.5 litres.

Two years later, the Bentley 6½ Litre was unveiled as a complete car at the Olympia Motor Show in London. A milestone in the brand’s history. And precisely the inspiration behind the new Olympia Collection by Mulliner.

This limited edition of twelve individually numbered Continental GTs pays homage to the original from 1926. A particularly striking feature is the exclusive ombré paint finish, which transitions from a rich Verdant green at the front to an almost black Midnight Emerald at the rear. This colour gradient alone takes 56 hours of handwork to apply. Added to this are accents in Champagne Gold and specially designed 22-inch wheels.

Inside, two shades of green meet dark-stained walnut, gold-coloured details and instruments whose design is reminiscent of the historic 6½ Litre. A finely embroidered map between the rear seats even shows the route of that memorable journey from Lyon to Dieppe. When the doors are opened, it is projected onto the floor as an animated light display.

And because at Mulliner even the finishing touches tell their own story, each car is fitted with an individually numbered chronograph from Brooklands Watch Co. The strap? Made from the same green leather as the interior.

Twelve cars, a hundred years of history, and a little reminder that great ideas sometimes begin with a rather spontaneous race.