Bentley is celebrating the centenary of its legendary 6½ Litre, unveiled at the 1926 Olympia Motor Show, with an exclusive collection of just 12 Continental GT models. Created by Mulliner, the Olympia Collection combines bespoke craftsmanship, heritage-inspired design and modern grand touring performance in a tribute to the uncompromising philosophy of company founder W.O. Bentley.
A century after Bentley introduced the 6½ Litre at the 1926 Olympia Motor Show in London, the British luxury manufacturer is bringing one of the most important chapters in its history into the modern era. The result is the Bentley Olympia Collection by Mulliner, an exceptionally exclusive series of just 12 Continental GT models that celebrates 100 years of engineering ambition, sporting heritage and handcrafted luxury.
More than a special paint scheme or a collection of exclusive accessories, the Olympia Collection tells a story that goes back to the origins of Bentley. Every detail, from its distinctive green exterior finish to its bespoke interior upholstery and commemorative accessories, has been developed to reflect the spirit of W.O. Bentley and his determination to build the finest automobiles in the world.
The collection also pays tribute to a defining moment in the development of the original 6½ Litre: an extraordinary high-speed encounter on a French country road that helped shape Bentley’s engineering philosophy.
The 1926 Bentley 6½ Litre: A Defining Moment in British Automotive History
When Bentley introduced its first production model, the 3 Litre, in 1921, it quickly established a reputation among wealthy customers and motorsport enthusiasts. However, the company soon recognised an opportunity to expand its appeal. There was growing demand for a larger chassis and a more powerful engine capable of accommodating heavier luxury coachwork without compromising the performance expected from a Bentley.
The answer arrived in 1926 with the production version of the new six-cylinder 6½ Litre, officially presented at the Olympia Motor Show in London. Positioned alongside the existing 3 Litre, the newcomer offered greater power, torque and refinement, allowing Bentley to enter a more luxurious segment while retaining its sporting character.
However, the story behind the engine’s development is perhaps even more interesting than the car itself.
In 1924, W.O. Bentley and three colleagues were testing a disguised six-cylinder prototype in France. The team was travelling from the European Grand Prix in Lyon towards Dieppe when an unexpected encounter took place at a Y-junction in the French countryside.
By coincidence, a prototype testing team representing Bentley’s closest competitor arrived at exactly the same location. Recognising one another, the two groups soon found themselves engaged in an impromptu high-speed contest along the tree-lined Route Nationale.
Both cars exceeded 80 mph, with neither driver willing to concede defeat. Although the Bentley ultimately emerged victorious, W.O. Bentley was not entirely satisfied with the difference in performance.
Upon returning to England, he decided that the six-cylinder engine needed further development. Its displacement was increased from 4.5 litres to 6.5 litres, with the intention of ensuring that Bentley remained comfortably ahead of its rivals.
As W.O. later explained, his objective was to stay “two steps ahead”.
That philosophy became an essential part of the company’s identity. The resulting 6½ Litre would eventually evolve into the legendary Speed Six, which secured consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930.
Bentley Olympia Collection: A Bespoke British Racing Green Interpretation
For the Olympia Collection, Mulliner’s designers wanted to capture the character of 1920s Bentley automobiles without simply reproducing historical design elements. The result is an exterior specification that combines traditional British luxury with contemporary bespoke finishing techniques.
The most distinctive feature is the exclusive Ombré by Mulliner paint finish, which creates a gradual transition between two shades of green: Verdant and Midnight Emerald.
Developing the appropriate interpretation of British Racing Green presented an interesting challenge. During the 1920s, numerous variations of the colour were used across the British automotive industry. Furthermore, historical finishes containing copper pigments gradually deteriorated under ultraviolet light, making it difficult to establish a definitive original colour reference.
Consequently, there is no universally standardised RAL reference that accurately represents the British Racing Green used on early Bentley models.
Rather than attempting to reproduce a single historical shade, Mulliner developed a contemporary interpretation that embraces the different variations associated with the period. The bespoke Ombré finish requires approximately 56 hours of painstaking work by highly skilled paint technicians, ensuring a smooth and consistent transition between the two green tones.
The exterior is further distinguished by Champagne Gold detailing, including the badges and lower-body pinstripe. These elements reference the golden appearance of nickel silver, a material historically used for radiator shells and switchgear on early Bentley automobiles.
The Blackline specification replaces traditional brightwork with black finishes across the matrix grille, air intakes and rear diffuser. Completing the design are black 22-inch Mulliner wheels featuring Champagne Gold accents, a contemporary interpretation of the spoked wheels associated with the marque’s early models.
Discreet Olympia Collection badges appear on the front wings, while the doors feature another particularly thoughtful detail. When opened, an animated ground projection depicting W.O. Bentley’s spirited Lyon-to-Dieppe journey illuminates the surface beneath the vehicle.
A Heritage-Inspired Interior Crafted by Mulliner
The exterior design establishes the historical connection, but the interior is where the Olympia Collection’s bespoke character becomes particularly evident.
Mulliner has created an exclusive colour combination featuring Coach Green as the main hide, finished with a heritage-patinated appearance, and Cumbrian Green as the secondary leather colour.
The dashboard fascia and waist rails are covered in black-stained, open-pore crown-cut walnut veneer, providing a natural contrast to the green upholstery. Diamond-knurled controls and dials introduce another familiar Bentley design characteristic, reinforcing the connection between the company’s historic craftsmanship and its modern luxury interiors.
Champagne Gold detailing is carried throughout the cabin, appearing on the seat piping, gear lever and organ stops. The steering wheel receives particularly distinctive box stitching in the same colour, recalling the rope-bound steering wheels found in Bentley automobiles during the 1920s.
One of the most interesting features is the Bentley Rotating Display, which receives exclusive Olympia Collection details. Its clock, individual numbering, dials and bezels draw inspiration from the instruments of the original 1926 6½ Litre.
The attention to historical detail continues into the rear cabin, where bespoke embroidery on the ski hatch commemorates W.O. Bentley’s journey from Lyon to Dieppe.
A subtle outline of the region is embroidered in Cumbrian Green, while the route itself is highlighted in Champagne Gold. It is a discreet but meaningful reference to the journey that ultimately influenced the development of one of Bentley’s most important engines.
Black-finished door treadplates carry the exclusive Olympia Collection by Mulliner inscription, providing another reminder that each of the 12 cars belongs to a very limited production series.
An Exclusive Brooklands Watch and Bespoke Ownership Package
Bentley has extended the Olympia Collection experience beyond the vehicle itself with a selection of exclusive accessories and commemorative items.
Each of the 12 Continental GT models will be delivered with a bespoke green car cover featuring a Champagne Gold motif, a commemorative handover box and a specially produced book documenting the collection’s story.
However, the most interesting accessory is arguably the exclusive handcrafted Brooklands watch.
Inspired by one of the circuits most closely associated with Bentley’s early motorsport achievements, the watch establishes a direct connection with the company’s competition heritage. Each example is individually numbered to correspond with its matching Continental GT.
The watch strap is manufactured using the same Coach Green leather found inside the vehicle, creating a physical connection between the automobile and its accompanying timepiece.
The case back features a chapter ring graphic inspired by the commemorative laser engraving on the Bentley Rotating Display. Two interchangeable tachymeter bezels reference Brooklands’ Outer Circuit and Double Twelve Circuit, allowing mechanical timing in the spirit of the historic racing venue.
It is precisely this level of detail that distinguishes Mulliner’s bespoke commissions from conventional limited-edition luxury cars. Rather than relying exclusively on production numbers and exclusive badging, the Olympia Collection builds a coherent story around every element of the ownership experience.
From 1926 to 2026: Bentley’s Sporting Spirit Lives On
The original 6½ Litre represented an important turning point for Bentley. It demonstrated that exceptional performance and effortless refinement could coexist in a large luxury automobile, expanding the company’s appeal without sacrificing its sporting identity.
Its subsequent development into the Speed Six cemented its place in automotive history. Victories at Le Mans in 1929 and 1930 established the model as one of the most celebrated competition Bentleys of its era.
A century later, the philosophy that inspired W.O. Bentley continues to influence the company’s approach to engineering, design and craftsmanship.
The Olympia Collection by Mulliner is therefore more than a celebration of a historic model. It is a reminder of the ambition that helped establish Bentley as one of the world’s most prestigious automotive manufacturers.
Limited to just 12 examples, the collection combines the contemporary Bentley Continental GT with carefully researched historical references, sophisticated bespoke materials and an extraordinary level of craftsmanship.
For Mulliner, the project represents an opportunity to demonstrate how automotive heritage can be translated into modern luxury without losing its original meaning. And for Bentley, the centenary of the 6½ Litre provides the perfect occasion to celebrate a century of staying two steps ahead.
Source: Bentley
