Mulliner Resurrects 1939 Bentley Corniche

We all know the names of the Bentley cars we love and own, but what about those Bentley vehicles that didn’t quite make the cut? Or the ones that were made but had a tragic ending? That’s the story we’re going to tell today: the story about the 1939 Bentley Corniche.

The Bentley Corniche was created after Bentley contacted racer André Embiricos. This Greek racer worked together with a team, which included designer Georges Paulin, to create a Bentley that the world had never seen before. This vehicle focused on streamlined lines and a design that was not only luxurious but also extremely fast. The company believed that the 1939 Bentley Corniche was going to be the future of the auto industry. They proved that the thinner steel, which lightened the weight of the vehicle, and the new, more sleek design could help this vehicle get some serious speed when they tested it on the Brookland circuit and were able to go faster than 100 MPH. For a Bentley back in 1939 this was an amazing feat.

The vehicle looked great and tested amazingly, so why wasn’t it ever put into production? Accidents and bad luck prevented the world from getting to own this beautiful vehicle. The car was first struck by a bus and then, after it had been repaired, was made to flip over after an accident involving another vehicle. The damage was so extensive after this accident that the company had the vehicle separated: the body going to a repair shop in France while the chassis was sent to Crewe.

After being repaired. the body was received at the port of Dieppe so that it could be shipped back to Crewe to be put back together with the chassis. An administrative error caused a delay in shipping and the body of the vehicle was destroyed during heavy bombing in WWII.

To celebrate the Bentley centenary, the company has recreated the 1939 Bentley Corniche. For a limited number of engagements, fans of the company can see exactly what the ill-fated vehicle looked and felt like. Giving this little-known vehicle a chance to shine sounds like a great way to celebrate 100 years of Bentley.