Bentley and the SagerStrong Foundation have teamed up to create a one-off Continental GT Speed Convertible that will be auctioned to fund blood cancer research. The model pays tribute to sports reporter Craig Sager, who was known for his flamboyant sense of style. That’s reflected in the car as the model’s multi-colored exterior draws inspiration from the jacket Sager wore to the 2016 ESPYs, where he accepted the Jimmy V Foundation’s Perseverance Award.
While the garish look isn’t for everyone,
Bentley’s Scott Reynolds remarked “Our interpretation of ‘clothing’ the
Continental GT Speed Convertible in something Craig would have worn honors him
and his vibrant, enduringly positive, and uplifting spirit.” He added, “It’s
our aspiration that further enhancing this car with the signatures of Craig’s
family, both on and off the court, will create an iconic piece of rolling
memorabilia: a lighthouse of hope for those that knew and loved Craig.”
Speaking of signatures, Craig’s will be
embroidered on the headrests to enable him to posthumously sign the car. It
will be joined by “key signatures of notable sports, entertainment, and
celebrity figures” including Steph Curry, Magic Johnson, Dikembe Mutombo, Jamal
Anderson, and Clayton Kershaw. Other names include Justin Turner, Trea Turner,
Dave Roberts, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. More are expected to be added
in the future as the car tours the country, ahead of being auctioned early next
year.
While it’s doubtful the winning bidder
will want to drive the car, the Continental GT Speed Convertible features a
twin-turbo W12 engine that develops 650 hp and 900
Nm of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a
standard all-wheel drive system. This setup enables the drop top to run from 0-96 km/h in 3.6 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 335
km/h.
