Bentley and Jaguar have announced the cars that they will enter for this year’s Mille Miglia in Italy from 16-19 May.
Bentley Boy ‘Tim’ Birkin’s 1930 racer will be one of two 4½ Litre ‘Blowers’ competing at the event.
The car contested that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, during which Birkin squeezed past the 7-litre Mercedes-Benz SS of Rudolf Caracciola at 120mph with two wheels on the grass.
The British driver would, however, retire on the 82nd lap.
The second Bentley is fitted with a Vanden Plas open, sports four-seater body.
Originally a customer demonstrator, the car went into private ownership before being bought back by Bentley in ’97.
Jaguar, meanwhile, has entered three C-types – one ex-Juan Manuel Fangio – a trio of XK120s and group of support-car F-types.
They will carry a string of VIPs including six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, Yasmin Le Bon, Michael Quinn (grandson of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons) and 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Andy Wallace.
