Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible
by Sir Peter Blake
Taking a page out of the BMW Art Car
Project, Bentley has decided to let an artist have a go at one of its Bentley
Continental GT V8 S Convertibles. Said artist is none other than Sir Peter
Blake, the “godfather” of British pop art. The one-of-a-kind Bentley is set to
be auctioned for charity by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.
Bentley commissioned Sir Peter to
deliver the world’s first pop art Bentley, and on many areas of the car, the
artist’s instantly recognisable style shines through. Most apparent is the St
James Red heart motif, hand-painted onto a Continental Yellow hood.
Another characteristic of Sir Peter’s
work – the use of collage – begins with the use of St Luke’s Blue on the car’s
rear haunches, doors and boot lid. The bespoke colour was introduced by Sir
Peter, and is a homage to Bentley’s local St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice.
The lower body meanwhile, is painted
with British Racing Green, whereas the radiator shell gets a Fuschia pink
paintjob. The use of bright colours is meant to compliment certain exterior
highlights that are painted black like the side mirrors.
Inside, you’ll find another flurry of
colours – Cumbrian Green, Imperial Blue, Newmarket Tan and Hotspur – used on
the seats and steering wheel. Elsewhere, a pink leather-wrapped gear lever
serves as a contrast to the Piano Black centre console, dashboard and interior
door panels. Sir Peter’s signature is also embroidered on all four seat
headrests.
Complementing the pop art Bentley is a
set of luggage cases made following a similar theme to the car, a distinct
treadplate that reads “Unique Design by Sir Peter Blake 1/1 by Bentley
Mulliner” and a personalised playlist comprising the artist’s favourite music.
No mechanical changes
here, with the familiar 4.0 litre biturbo V8 (520 hp and 680 Nm) providing
power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and
all-wheel drive system. The Bentley will make the 100 km/h sprint in 4.7
seconds.
