Bentley EXP2: A Cavalcade Of Legends With The World’s Oldest 3-Litre At The Isle Of Man

Congregation - The Rarest Collection Of Bentley

100 years since it was part of Bentley’s team win in the 1922 RAC Tourist Trophy, last weekend the Isle of Man witnessed the return of the oldest remaining Bentley in the world, the EXP2.

Remarkably, the EXP2 was part of the largest display of 3-litre Bentleys ever assembled, as 78 Bentleys and period competitors pay homage to one of the most famous race circuits in the world.

Morning of June 25, the display at the renowned island allowed the general public and owners the opportunity to admire and compare the vast array of cars dating back over a century.

Isle of Man, Douglas’ mayor, Janet Thommeny, expressed, ‘It was great to see the energy and passion that the participants and their cars had created’.

The rare collection of Bentleys had an estimated value in excess of GBP 40 million (RM 213,847,492), and it is unlikely that all of these cars will be together again.

Afternoon of June 26, the cavalcade of Bentleys and the race-winning 1922 Sunbeam formed together in the pit lane to begin a parade lap that commences at 2pm.

Nostalgically, the day started just like how it did 100 years ago, with heavy rain and strong winds causing uncomfortable driving conditions. But, unlike 1922, the bad weather improved. 

With a police escort, the parade began the historic journey through the villages, mountains and chequered kerbs of the famous circuit. 

Spectators looked on as some of W.O. Bentley’s earliest cars made their way around the island, with all 78 successfully returning to the pit lane within the following 90 minutes.

EXP2 - The Oldest Bentley In The World

1919, after W.O. Bentley launched his firm, it took him two years to mature the engine and chassis of his first production 3-litre car that he produced 1,622 examples of amid the years 1921 and 1929. 

Crucial to that development programme were the Experimentals or EXPs for short. EXP1 came first, and was the very first car to wear the Bentley badge. 

EXP2 was next, and while EXP1 was lost to history, and may well have been cannibalised to create the other EXPs, the EXP2 has survived for a century as the oldest Bentley in existence.

Exceptionally, the EXP2 was originally built with a basic two-seat body, to serve as a development testbed for the engine, which is incredibly advanced for its time and chassis. 

It was later rebodied with dark red bodywork and an aluminium bonnet, crafted by coachbuilders JH Easter of Chagford Street.

Then, the EXP2 carried on with its split career of development testing and racing for two years, before being sold in September 1923. 

A befitting end to a legendary career, the car was completely rebuilt to its original specification around 25 years ago and is now one of the most vital members of the Bentley Heritage Collection.

Racing - The Early Years

May 16, 1921. Bentley celebrated its first race win at Brooklands in the Whitsun Junior Sprint Handicap. Driven by ‘works’ driver Frank Clement in the second ever Bentley produced, the EXP2.

June 22, 1922. W.O. Bentley decided to enter three of its 3-litre Bentleys in the famous Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man. 

Started at 9:30pm, Frank Clement (No 3), Douglas Hawkes (No 6) and W.O. himself (No 9) valiantly raced in their cream and red Bentleys over 486 km (302 miles) in terrible weather conditions. 

Clement finished 2nd, tailed by the other two delivering the combined team win and proving Bentley’s potential for the upcoming and idea of a 24-hour race to be held in Le Mans, France. 

1925, said success of the 3-litre Bentleys continued, as John Duff claimed 21 world records in a 3-litre over the course of 24 hours. 

Propelling the legend, the racing baton was then passed to the 4.5-litre Bentley, the iconic Blowers and the dominant Speed Six, which won Le Mans twice in 1929 and 1930. 

These wins were celebrated by the recently announced Speed Six Continuation Series, which will see only 12 new examples exclusively built to the specification of the Le Mans racers.