Bentley has teamed up with British pop art pioneer, Sir Peter Blake, to create a one-of-a-kind Continental GT V8 S Convertible.
This unique car will be auctioned for charity by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 24 June. Bentley commissioned Sir Peter to deliver the world’s first pop art Bentley, drawing on inspiration from the acclaimed artist’s celebrated career at the forefront of the famous British pop art movement. Bentley has donated the car to the Care2Save Charitable Trust, which provides palliative and hospice care around the world.
Possibly the most striking feature of Sir Peter’s vision - instantly recognisable as a Sir Peter trademark - is a St James Red heart motif hand painted onto a Continental Yellow bonnet, a symbol in keeping with the compassionate work of hospices.
Sir Peter Blake comments: “I am proud to have been involved with transforming this beautiful car, and have enormous admiration for the people at Bentley who brought my design into being, to produce this one-off lovely car.”
Throughout the exterior of the car, the use of collage - another characteristic of his work - demonstrates bright but clearly defined colour. A St Luke’s Blue - a bespoke colour introduced by Sir Peter, named in homage to Bentley’s local St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice - dominates the cars rear, doors and boot lid, with a British Racing Green lower body, and a Fuchsia pink-coloured radiator shell.
The cabin is also an expression of individuality, with each seat trimmed in a different hide colour; Cumbrian Green, Imperial Blue, Newmarket Tan and Hotspur, reflecting more tonal shades of the exterior surfaces.
The same colours are echoed on the sports steering wheel, featuring a Hotspur outer rim, Newmarket Tan inner rim and Cumbrian Green centre, with Imperial Blue stitching. The vivid pink leather gear lever stands out against the centre console, dashboard and interior door panels, all veneered by Bentley’s craftspeople in Piano Black.
Sir Peter’s signature is incorporated onto the passenger side dashboard and is also embroidered on all four seat headrests. To finish, storage cases feature a Piano Black veneer outer but with Continental Yellow and St James Red internal sleeves to reflect the bonnet colour theme. A distinctive treadplate, signifying that this is a Sir Peter Blake design, labelling ‘No. 1 of 1’ finishes the car. These unique features have been produced by Bentley’s specialist bespoke division, Mulliner.
Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman, said: “This collaboration with luxury marque Bentley, world-renowned British artist, Sir Peter Blake, and Bonhams, auctioneers of fine art and motor cars, is the perfect partnership.
“We have a long established relationship with Bentley, as the world record holders for the most valuable Bentley sold at auction, and are delighted to have been selected as the auctioneers of choice for the sale of this truly special motor car, with proceeds to benefit such a wonderful charity. The Festival of Speed is the perfect platform for selling such a rare motor car, so we look forward to some spirited bidding.”
The Sir Peter Blake design, which also includes a personalised playlist from the artist’s favourite music, is the second Bentley Continental GT Bentley is donating to the Care2Save Charitable Trust.
The Bentley By Me campaign was launched earlier this year, allowing people the opportunity to donate any amount from £1 to help transform hospice and palliative care around the world, with the opportunity to win a Bentley.
Using the money raised from the Bentley by Me and Bentley By Blake campaigns, the Care2Save Charitable Trust will work with organisations and charities in other countries to educate and empower them to build their own sustainable and affordable hospice and palliative care models.
In addition to the first world’s first Pop Art Bentley, Sir Peter Blake has produced a series of 75 prints in homage to this unique vehicle. These artworks will be sold on April 14th as part of the unveiling ceremony for this very special car. Proceeds will be donated to the Care2Save Charitable Trust.