Bentley's Continuation Blower Car Zero
Bentley will return to Le Mans with a works entry for the first time since the Speed 8 took the overall victory in 2003. Granted this time around it will be competing in the historic Le Mans, but it’s a significant entry regardless. The Crewe-based brand will enter Car Zero, the first of their Blower Continuation Series, at Le Mans as well as Donington and Spa later this year.
The Blower Continuation Series is the first ever continuation model of a pre-war car and was hand built with the usage of the original plans as well as 3D laser scans of original parts. Those plans and 3D modeling were obtained from the 1929 4½-liter supercharged Team Car #2 that competed at Le Mans 93 years earlier. Bentley’s stated intention is to take another victory when it hits the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Some tweaks were required to get the Blower Car Zero able to race, but they were fairly minor and related to driver safety. A fire extinguisher has been added to the car along with a rain light, wing mirrors, and towing points. Following its planned three outings, the Historical Technical Passport will allow it to compete in FIA-sanctioned historic races.
An additional 12 Blower Continuation Series cars have been commissioned via Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke division. Thus far eight of them have been delivered with the remaining four still being built. At least two of those cars will be competing against the factory team at Le Mans along with the original Bentley Team cars from the 1920s.
The drivers of Car Zero will be announced closer to the race. They will certainly take solace in the fact that Car Zero successfully completed a six-hour test at racing speed, averaging 83 mph at the Goodwood Motor Circuit.