Link Copiedcheck_circle
International

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

Afiq Saha

Share via


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.

Gallery

Tagged:

Bentley
1929 Bentley Speed Six
EXP2
Bentley EXP2
Bentley Blower
Bentley 3-Litre
1922 Sunbeam
Bentley 4.5-Litre
Share This Article

Written By

Afiq Saha

Part of the CariCarz multi-faceted editorial team, Afiq is an English author packing four years of professional writing experience, be it creative or factual. (LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/Afiq-Saha-AS27)

Share via

Related News

EV

Radical Bentley EXP 15 Concept Previews Marque’s First-Ever EV

The radical new Bentley EXP 15 concept previews the brand’s first EV, featuring design cues inspired by the legendary Speed Six.

09-07-2025
New Car

Launched: Bentley Bentayga Umbra – Only 10 Units Worldwide, RM3.67 Million

The all-new Bentley Bentayga Umbra breaks cover as a 10-unit-only special, priced at RM3.68 million.

28-11-2024
International

Bentley Pushes Back Plan To Go Electric Only To 2035

Bentley postpones plan to go electric-only, but provides updates on its upcoming EV SUV.

12-11-2024
International

New Mulliner Versions Of Bentley Continental GT, Continental GTC And Flying Spur

Bentley announces new Mulliner versions for latest-gen Continental GT, Continental GT C, and Flying Spur.

03-10-2024
International

New Bentley Flying Spur Speed Debuts as The Brand’s Fastest Saloon

Thanks to its new V8 PHEV powertrain, the 2025 Bentley Flying Spur Speed is now the brand’s fastest saloon.

11-09-2024
International

Bentley Has Built Its Final W12 Engine

Bentley builds final example of its signature W12 twin-turbo engine unit this week, over 100,000 units produced since 2003.

25-07-2024
International

Bentley Teases New Flying Spur With V8 PHEV For 2025

British luxury automakers Bentley teases updated Flying Spur model for 2025 with V8 PHEV heart.

19-07-2024
International

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Debuts with a 771-HP V8 PHEV Heart

The fourth-gen Bentley Continental GT Speed breaks cover with a 771-HP-rated V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain.

27-06-2024

Latest News

International

JLR Refreshes Range Rover Logo As First EV Nears Debut

Range Rover debuts a sleek new logo after 50 years just ahead of its first EV SUV launch.

10-07-2025
International

Proton Saga Teams Up With Egyptian Action Star For TVC

Proton Saga shares the spotlight in new TVC with renowned Egyptian action star Ahmed El Sakka.

10-07-2025
International

Aston Martin Vantage S Bows With More Potent 671 HP

Aston Maritn Vantage S bows with a reworked V8 heart outputting more potent 671 HP.

09-07-2025
International

BYD Celebrates 90,000 NEVs and First Thai-Made Seal 5 DM-i

BYD Thailand hits key production milestones building 90,000th NEV and Thailand’s first locally assembled PHEV.

09-07-2025
International

Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept Takes Hydrogen Tech to WRC

The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept is a hydrogen-powered alternative to Toyota’s Group Rally2 racer.

09-07-2025
International

Halted Fiat 500e Gains New Hybrid Offshoot

Electric-only Fiat 500e spawns new hybrid-powered offshoot that will also roll off same Mirafiori production line.

08-07-2025
International

Report: BYD Leads 1H 2025 Sales Amongst Major Chinese Automakers

NEV-making giants BYD leads Chinese automakers with sales totalling over 2.1 million units in 1H 2025.

07-07-2025
International

BMW M2 CS Dethrones Audi RS3 to Set New Nurburgring Record

The all-new G87-gen BMW M2 CS dethrones the Audi RS3 to become the fastest compact car on the Nurburgring.

07-07-2025