Bentley reveals Le Mans Limited Edition trim for Mulsanne and Continental

Bentley introduced Le Mans Limited Edition trim packages for the Mulsanne and Continental families on Thursday. They will only be available in North America and will celebrate the company's six wins at the 24-hour race.

Bentley won the race in its second running (1924), as well as from 1927-1930 and again in 2003 with the Bentley Speed 8.

The company will build 48 examples of each Le Mans Limited Edition model, with unique numbered badges, Le Mans Edition clock face, embroidered Le Mans badge, special tread plates, unique wheels, and customized interior and exterior colors.

Continental GT models will be available in the second quarter of 2013, with Mulsanne Le Mans Edition models available beginning in the third quarter.

The Bentley Mulsanne Le Mans spec option is priced at $26,490, the GT and GTC W12s add $11,750 to the base price. The V8 GTs add $15,770 while the GT Speed Le Mans spec adds $7,320.

The six Le Mans Limited Edition combinations are as follows:

John Duff

The original Bentley Boy, John Duff gave Bentley its first win at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924. After a fourth-place finish in 1923, Duff returned to Le Mans the following year with Bentley co-driver Jack Clement. The pair raced to a first-place finish, defeating many of the leading sports cars of the day.

Exterior: Moonbeam

Interior: Two-tone Linen and Beluga

Stitching: Contrast

Veneer: Piano black and bright aluminum

Dudley Benjafield

Competing for the sheer pleasure of driving and the thrill of the race, “Benjy” drove in numerous events and took first place at Le Mans in 1927.

Exterior: Verdant -- the same color of the victorious Bentley Speed 8 in 2003

Interior: Two-tone Linen and Cumbrian green

Stitching: Contrast

Veneer: Dark-stain Burr Walnut and bright aluminum

Woolf Barnato

Considered “the best driver we ever had” by W.O. Bentley, Barnato remains the only driver to have won on each occasion of entering the race, recording wins at Le Mans in 1928, 1929 and 1930.

Exterior: Granite

Interior: Hotspur

Stitching: Beluga

Veneer: Carbon fiber in Continental series, dark-stain Burr Walnut with dark aluminum in Mulsanne

Tim Birkin

A formidable personality, Birkin, an ex-fighter pilot, was renowned for his willingness to be utterly ruthless with his car to achieve a winning result.

Exterior: Glacier white

Interior: Beluga

Stitching: White

Veneer: Piano black and bright aluminum

Glen Kidston

Kidston claimed first place, along with Barnato, at Le Mans in 1930 and is known for being an adventurer: rough, tough, sharp and fearless.

Exterior: Dark Sapphire

Interior: Two-tone Newmarket tan and Imperial blue

Stitching: Contrast

Veneer: Dark-stain Burr Walnut and dark aluminum; Continental GT convertible models are finished with a blue-hued exterior roof

Guy Smith

A central figure for Team Bentley's attack on both the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans, Guy Smith secured his place in racing legend at the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours. Smith was selected to pilot the Bentley Speed 8 across the finish line to mark an emotional sixth win for Bentley.

Exterior: Beluga

Interior: Beluga

Stitching: Hotspur

Veneer: Piano black and dark aluminum

By Jake Lingeman