FIRST STEP TO THE PODIUM: Bentley had dreams of reigniting Le Mans success before big brother VW made plans. This is the car that convinced them victory was possible.

The article discusses the Bentley Speed 8 Prototype, a car that played a significant role in Bentley's return to Le Mans. The car, which features a Ford Cosworth DFR Formula 1 engine, was the prototype for the LMGTP program that eventually led to Bentley's victory at Le Mans in 2003. The car had been stored in Crewe for 20 years before being recommissioned by Progressive Motorsport. Shaun Lynn, the owner of four Speed 8s, including the Le Mans winner, played a crucial role in bringing the car back to life. The article highlights the historical importance of the car and the efforts made to restore it to its original condition. [Extracted from the article]