- Day 2: Bentley LeMans livery heading out of Santa Margarita on CA-58 towards Paso Robles. Story/photo: Royce Rumsey

Crewe Crew Cruises Central California

DriveTribe exclusive report: The 2018 Bentley West Coast Tour and Rally

3y ago
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A glass of pricey chardonnay sat atop an alfresco table on a warm, early spring afternoon in the California Central Coast wine country. Suddenly, the serenity of the oenological setting was subtly broken by slight ripples in the wine--which became more pronounced as they resonated to the increasing sounds nearly two dozen, unmuffled exhausts nearby.

The 2018 Bentley West Coast Rally was in its third day and the lunch destination this day was the renowned Daou Winery near Paso Robles. Twenty three vintage Bentleys, many being LeMans liveries, were touring California’s Central Coast and visiting the many celebrated winerys and eateries thereabouts. The beautiful, bucolic quiet countryside for five days was punctuated by the signature sounds of large displacement straight sixes and eights with their unrestricted performance exhausts…pronouncing their presence for miles around.

Per prior years, this year’s event was organized by the Weitmans, Eckbergs and Massmans with their respective 1928 3.5ltr LeMans racer, 1928 4.5ltr tourer and 1926 6/8ltr LeMans Bentleys. The event attracted participants and attendees from around the globe, including such automotive luminaries as John Mozart, Craig McCaw and Bruce Meyer.

The Weitman's 1928 3.8ltr LeMans Racer awaits the start of the 2018 Rally at Hotel Californian Resort

The Weitman's 1928 3.8ltr LeMans Racer awaits the start of the 2018 Rally at Hotel Californian Resort

This year’s Crewe fete started in Santa Barbara and was hosted by the beautiful new Hotel Californian—providing a fittingly luxurious, Californian backdrop for the Bentleys assembled there.

Kurt Furger's 1931 4/8 LeMans at the Hotel Californian

Kurt Furger's 1931 4/8 LeMans at the Hotel Californian

Dawn light on the The Hunter's 1928 4.5ltr at Santa Barbara's Hotel Californian Resort

Dawn light on the The Hunter's 1928 4.5ltr at Santa Barbara's Hotel Californian Resort

Santa Barbara dawn at the Hotel Californian with Hayden Groendyke's 1929 6/5 8ltr tourer

Santa Barbara dawn at the Hotel Californian with Hayden Groendyke's 1929 6/5 8ltr tourer

...a magnificent closed Bentley joined the Rally this year...

The Ellenbaas' 1929 6ltr Coupé graced the otherwise open-car gathering.

The Ellenbaas' 1929 6ltr Coupé graced the otherwise open-car gathering.

For two days, dawn arrived with Bentley owners dutifully attending to their liveries--doing light maintenance and concours-level detailing before leaving on a 200mile daily circuit to places like Cold Spring Tavern, SY Kitchen in Santa Ynez and then returning for elegant dinner at the likes of Luckys in nearby Montecito.

LeMans roadster descending Stagecoach Road enroute to the legendary Cold Spring Tavern

LeMans roadster descending Stagecoach Road enroute to the legendary Cold Spring Tavern

The Campbells arriving at Cold Spring Tavern in their 1928 4.5 liter Vanden Plas

The Campbells arriving at Cold Spring Tavern in their 1928 4.5 liter Vanden Plas

On second day of the tour the caravan of vintage Bentleys traveled north through Santa Margarita and the famous Range restaurant for lunch (and country music) and then on to Paso Robles

Day 2: The Massmans in their 1926 6/8ltr LeMans tourer leaving Santa Margarita on eastbound CA-58 towards Paso Robles

Day 2: The Massmans in their 1926 6/8ltr LeMans tourer leaving Santa Margarita on eastbound CA-58 towards Paso Robles

...another LeMans livery roars up CA-58 towards Paso Robles...

...another LeMans livery roars up CA-58 towards Paso Robles...

Included in the 2018 Tour was Weathertech's magnificent 1956 S1 Drophead...seen here as the head of a trio of Crewe offerings plying the curves of CA-58.

Included in the 2018 Tour was Weathertech's magnificent 1956 S1 Drophead...seen here as the head of a trio of Crewe offerings plying the curves of CA-58.

The third and fourth days of the rally was centered at Paso Robles Allegretto Winery Resort ----with daily journeys to five-star establishments like the aforementioned Daou Winery--replete with accompanying Warbirds airshow during lunch. The wine glasses were again vibrating—but this time to the glorious sounds of Rolls-Royce Merlins overhead!

The Groendykes make their way south from Paso Robles on El Pomar Road at dawn in their 1929 6/5 8ltr tourer...

The Groendykes make their way south from Paso Robles on El Pomar Road at dawn in their 1929 6/5 8ltr tourer...

...additional LeMans liveries at dawn on El Pomar Road heading towards Creston Market...

...additional LeMans liveries at dawn on El Pomar Road heading towards Creston Market...

After leaving Creston Market the Bentleys carve their way south on CA-229 towards San Luis Obispo...

After leaving Creston Market the Bentleys carve their way south on CA-229 towards San Luis Obispo...

The fourth touring day found the Bentley faithful gathering at the charming, venerable Mattei’s Taven in Los Olivos and then returning to Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara and a celebratory dinner at Craig McCaws incredible collection in Montecito.

The Massmans speeding past the Firestone Winery in their 1926 6/8ltr enroute to Los Olivos

The Massmans speeding past the Firestone Winery in their 1926 6/8ltr enroute to Los Olivos

A brace of Bentley LeMans veterans at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos

A brace of Bentley LeMans veterans at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos

...a solo Touring LeMans livery at Mattei's in Los Olivos...

...a solo Touring LeMans livery at Mattei's in Los Olivos...

...and a final brace of Bentley LeMans liveries in Los Olivos.

...and a final brace of Bentley LeMans liveries in Los Olivos.

While it will be difficult to improve upon this year’s event, plans are already in the making for a 2019 event befitting the Bentley lifestyle quality and verve and it promises to be another memorable experience for those fortunate enough to attend.

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