Do you enjoy reading about cars you cannot afford? Then pull up a chair and listen intently because I’m going to tell you about the summer success of the Bentley Heritage Collection.
Since The ClassicCars.com Journal first told you about the Heritage Collection, Bentley has expanded the aggregation to 50 cars, including 10 race-ready vehicles that we probably can guarantee don’t include a Bentayga.
One of the 40 “road-legal” cars—a bespoke 1939 Mark V Corniche—participated in the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Having undergone a 15-year restoration that started with a crew of Bentley enthusiasts and finished with the assistance of Mulliner, the Corniche was the first-ever submission from a manufacturer to be fully judged at the event. It even successfully participated in the “Tour d’Elegance” drive along the California Coast.
A second Bentley, the familiar-yet-absolutely-classic 1953 R Type Continental, garnered a Concours award—a first for the Heritage Collection—by winning Best-in-Class at the Salon Privé Concours.
A third, a 1930 8 Litre saloon, won Best Manufacturer-Entered Car (a new show class) at Hampton Court Concours of Elegance. One of 100 8 Litres built and often suggested as W.O. Bentley’s crowning achievement, this vehicle was once owned by its namesake and was among 10 Bentleys from the Heritage Collection on display at the event.
“The recent recognition of the quality, condition and importance of the Bentleys that have attended concours events over the summer is testament to the hard work of the team in Crewe who have helped to rejuvenate the Collection,” says Mike Sayer, the head of the Heritage Collection. “It now represents the entire company history, with 50 extraordinary, driveable vehicles that together describe the evolution of Bentley design, performance and craftsmanship. The entire fleet is now regularly consulted by Bentley’s R&D teams to help inform the future, and we will continue to use the cars to guide new developments while showcasing our history at events around the world.”