LIMITED to just four models, Bentley Motors is commemorating the historic ‘Blue Train’ race won by a Bentley Speed Six in 1930 with a Mulliner Limited Edition – the Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’.

Unveiled this week at the Techno-Classica show in Essen, Germany, just four examples will be hand crafted in Crewe for customers in continental Europe.

It was 85 years ago when Captain Woolf Barnato, chairman of and one of the pioneering ‘Bentley Boys’, was staying in Cannes at the Carlton Hotel.

He accepted a wager that not only could he beat the Calais-Mediterranée Express or ‘Blue Train’ back to Calais but that he could be at his club in London before the train even reached the English Channel. He was, and the remarkable victory has been talked about ever since.

The ‘Blue Train’ Limited Edition employs references and modern interpretations of design details from the original Speed Six.

A fluting pattern in the door panels and the rear quarter inserts echo the interior of Barnato’s original car. The dashboard facia features a crafted veneer image of the original Bentley ‘Blue Train’ Speed Six. Meanwhile, the treadplate plaques bear the wording ‘Blue Train 85 Years’ and the front grille features a square mesh design inspired by original Speed Six.

The first ‘Blue Train’ Limited Edition delivered to its wealthy owner will also feature a personalised hamper, trimmed with Burnt Oak and Camel hide to match the interior of the car. Mulliner has crafted beautiful leather cutlery holders and a leather rug wrap-around, both featuring ‘Blue Train’ embroidery. The hamper contains exclusive Robbe & Berking silver plated cutlery, Haviland Limoges porcelain crockery, LINLEY crystal champagne flutes and a 100% Angora picnic rug, woven in Scotland.