In another of our short series of articles from the DSC (and its predecessor’s) archives it seemed appropriate – after Richard Leach’s shots yesterday of Bentley’s Snetterton test with the Abu Dhabi-bound Continental GT – to re-run the photo story below, with pics from David Legangneux and Marc Laffeas, of a very early test for the then Le Mans bound Bentley Speed 8 from very early in 2001.
This the car, of course, that was used as an image booster for the brand as they moved towards the launch of the original Bentley Continental road car, a car which transformed the marque from a builder of bespoke, hand made cars in relatively tiny numbers to a stand alone global brand.
The pictures covered a track test (partly in the wet) at the Bugatti circuit and a rather whimsical photo shoot featuring the Speed 8, the 1924 Le Mans winning Speed 6, and a rather self conscious looking James Weaver!
A first view of the front suspension.
The development car seems to be fairly loud
James Weaver, a top hat and a Bentley – perfect
It looks sensational out on the track
And in the pit entrance road
And in the rain
Bandits at 12 o’clock – and James makes sure to have the sun behind him
Supermarine Spitfire to take on the Messerschmidt 109s
or…..Bentley Speed 8 to take on the Audi R8s
Audi logos in the background – significant?
James and the 1924 winner – “The champers is in the tool box, old boy”
