The Crewe firm has vowed to fly the flag for Britain in this year's Mille Miglia, taking place on 15-18 May.
Two vintage Bentleys will be rising to the 1700km challenge, the 1930 Le Mans 'Team Car' formerly owned by 'Tim' Birkin and the company's Vanden Plas-bodied demonstrator, which has been in the firm's hands since 1997.
The former became famous after carrying out a 120mph pass with two wheels on the grass at Le Mans in 1930, while the latter has been used to entertain visitors to Bentley's Crewe factory. Both cars have competed in the Mille Miglia several times.
Bentley Motors will also be hosting a gathering of the manufacturer's cars prior to the start of the event. Owners from as far afield as Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa and the United States will meet in Brescia on the afternoon before the race for a line-up of cars, both classic and modern. Bentley's customers and members of the Bentley Drivers Club will be taking part.
Steve Miller, club secretary of the Bentley Drivers Club said: “We plan to see Bentley’s Blowers and their drivers off in style. There will be Bentleys from all eras in Brescia (some of them extremely rare) to mark the start of the Mille Miglia, and it should be a real celebration of great cars.”
