If there’s one thing to understand about pioneering automotive brands like Bentley Motors, it’s that heritage runs deep, and that connection to its history has long since been celebrated and preserved by a worldwide community of owners and enthusiasts. And while Bentley is now a household name in its own right, some may be surprised to learn that its history is closely intertwined with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Instead of existing solely as industry rivals, the two brands were connected for decades after Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley in 1931, remaining under the same ownership until their separation in 2003. Along with a group of passionate purists with a love for both marques and British craftsmanship in general, the International Club for Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts is commemorating 80 years of Bentley production at Crewe with a special celebration.
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On August 29th, members of the RRIC from around the globe will gather at the British Motor Museum, bringing Bentleys that span from the first Crewe-built Mark VI from 1946 to today's latest Continental GT. One of the weekend highlights will be a 1950 Mark VI from Bentley's Heritage Collection displayed alongside a new one-off Bentley Continental GT Azure created by Mulliner in its honor. It's an incredible way to see how far the brand has come, with eight decades separating the two cars, but the connection between them is immediately apparent.
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The bespoke Continental GT Azure takes inspiration directly from the two-tone green and black H.J. Mulliner-bodied Mark VI. Finished in Barnato Green with a contrasting Mulliner Black roof, the modern Bentley Continental GT shows off that heritage-inspired color combination in a modern day configuration, including 22-inch wheels, the carbon Styling Specification, and Azure brightware. Inside, Cricket Ball leather and Beluga give the interior a traditional Bentley feel, while dark-stained burr walnut over Grand Black piano veneer continues the connection to the Mark VI's period-correct interior. Of course, it remains a modern luxury grand tourer, complete with Bentley's Rotating Display, Comfort and Wellness seating, an air ioniser, and a Naim for Bentley audio system. Even the treadplates have been customized with outlines of both cars and an inscription commemorating 80 years of Bentley production in Crewe.
The anniversary also offers a good reminder of just how significant the Mark VI was to Bentley's modern history. After the Pyms Lane facility transitioned from wartime Merlin engine production to automotive manufacturing, the Mark VI became the first Bentley to leave the Crewe production line in 1946. Its 4.25-liter six-cylinder engine, understated design, and reputation for reliability helped establish the foundation for generations of Crewe-built Bentleys that followed. By the end of production in 1951, more than 4,000 examples had been built, including just 241 H.J. Mulliner four-door, six-light saloons like the two-tone 1950 example now in Bentley's Heritage Collection. Displaying it beside the one-off Continental GT Azure makes the anniversary celebration a reminder of how far Bentley has come without losing sight of what made the brand special in the first place.
Source: Bentley Motors
