Bentley celebrates eight decades at Melbourne Motor Show

Bentley is one of just four exhibitors remaining from 1925, along with Ford, Peugeot and Renault, to still be in business and exhibiting at the 2009 Show.

At Melbourne's first International Motor Show in 1925, Bentley had four Three-Litres in various body styles exhibited by its local agent Brodribb Bros. This year it will have four Continentals in three different body styles and two levels of performance.

Headlining the Motor Show offering will be the Continental Flying Spur Speed four-door and Continental GT Speed coupe, the newest, high-performance variants of the Continental line, plus two examples of the Continental GTC convertible.

The Continental Flying Spur Speed increases the output of the 6.0-litre engine to 449kW, with a vast 750Nm of torque from just 1750rpm, for a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 322km/h.

It sells for just over $400,000, with standard equipment including five-ply, noise-dampening window glass, 20-inch alloy wheels, lambswool floor mats, a Breitling clock and rear picnic tables with integrated mirror and lights

Imposing performance and price were Bentley hallmarks from its earliest days, and those early Bentleys are honoured by the selection of a 1930 Bentley Speed Six for the 75th Melbourne Motor Show Historic Tribute display.

The Historic Tribute car (pictured top) belongs to Melbourne car enthusiast and Bentley distributor Lance Dixon, and its advanced engine design and Le Mans-winning performance built a heritage that Bentley continues to this day.