LONDON: Salon Privé will be welcoming Bentley back to Blenheim Palace from Sept 23-26, when the legendary British marque will unveil a three-strong showcase hand-crafted by Bentley Mulliner.
Salon Privé is now recognised as one of the top events in the world alongside Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Bentley Mulliner is the company's in-house bespoke division, which now operates a trio of portfolios.
All three portfolios will be represented together for the first time at Salon Privé.
A new member of the Mulliner Collections family will be unveiled, alongside the public debut for the Mulliner Bacalar and a post-restoration debut for one of the most famous Bentleys in history.
The Mulliner Bacalar – the rarest two-door Bentley of the modern era, and the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury – will make its public debut at Salon Privé.
Just 12 examples of this striking, limited-edition model – which draws on design DNA from the award-winning EXP 100 GT concept car – are being created, guaranteeing rarity and exclusivity, and offering supreme luxury and breath-taking performance.
Each model will be hand-crafted in Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe according to the individual customer’s personal tastes, and the Bacalar is the first car to be created as part of Bentley Mulliner’s new Coachbuilt portfolio.
To celebrate the history of Mulliner, Bentley will also bring two very special cars from the Heritage Collection. An 8 Litre that was previously the company car of WO Bentley himself – and wearing an HJ Mulliner body – will lead a convoy of modern Bentleys arriving at the event.
It will be joined in that procession by perhaps the most iconic Mulliner-bodied car in history – the R-Type Continental of 1952. Still considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time, it was the fastest four-seater of the era.
Salon Privé Director David Bagley said: "We are very proud to be hosting so many hugely significant world debuts this year, and we’re honoured that Bentley has chosen the magnificent surroundings of Blenheim Palace in which to introduce the very latest members of its exclusive Bentley Mulliner portfolios.
"With Salon Privé being renowned for quality and luxury, it’s the perfect fit, and the procession of cars arriving at the Palace should be a fabulous sight."
