2004 Bentley GT coupé - Absolute Indulgence
Just why Bentley chose to release its first official photographs of the upcoming GT coupé in black and white is anyone's guess, although the classic patina does cause the mind to slip helplessly back to fond memories of Bentley's glory days. For most of us, thoughts of John Duff and Frank Clement relentlessly overpowering lesser marques at the 1924 Le Mans, laying claim to first place honors at the second annual events finish line, come from history books rather than first hand experience.
As triumphant as this and ensuing motorsport victories were, the brands greatest success is outside of the winners circle. Taking a look at the list of top ten finishers, with 2nd and 3rd place taken by La Lorraine, 4th and 5th by Chenard & Walcker, 6th & 9th by Rolland Pilain, 7th and 8th by Brasier and 10th by Bignan, Bentley is the only manufacturer still in existence and incidentally still racing at Le Mans, accomplishing a 4th place finish overall in the 2002 24-hour competition.
That said its history has had more interim parents than someone endowed with as refined a pedigree would wish becoming vile gossip among high society. Still, living in Crewe with Rolls-Royce could hardly be called slumming. In 1931 the revered British manufacturer made a winning bid for Bentley - that incidentally went bankrupt in 1929. Concurrently, Rolls-Royce moved Bentley production from Cricklewood to its Derby factory in 1933 and then to Crewe in 1946, eventually building re-badged and retuned versions of Rolls-Royce cars that relegated the once proud marque to 'poor mans Rolls' status. But if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Rolls-Royce kept the mark alive and well so that its current parents, Volkswagen AG, could take it to the next level.