Bentley will mark 80 years of vehicle production at its Crewe factory with a special display at the British Motor Museum on 29 August, organised by the RREC, the international club for Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts.
Cars brought by RREC members from around the world will be exhibited at the event, spanning Bentley’s Crewe-built history from the 1946 Mark VI to the latest Continental GT.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Bentley’s Mulliner division has created a bespoke Continental GT Azure inspired by a two-tone green and black Mark VI from the company’s Heritage Collection. The two cars will be displayed together, highlighting the development of Bentley’s design and engineering over eight decades.
The modern Continental GT Azure is finished in solid Barnato Green with a contrasting Mulliner Black roof. Its exterior specification includes Azure brightware, carbon-fibre styling elements, black-painted and bright-machined 22-inch ten-spoke wheels and black brake calipers.
Inside, the car combines contemporary technology with materials and colours referencing the 1950 Mark VI. Cricket Ball red leather is paired with Beluga secondary hide, while contrast stitching, piping, diamond quilting and embroidered Azure emblems add further detailing.
The dashboard uses dark-stained burr walnut over Grand Black piano veneer, separated by a chrome pinstripe. Bentley’s Rotating Display allows the driver to switch between a high-definition touchscreen, analogue instruments and a veneer panel.
Other equipment includes Comfort and Wellness specifications for the front seats, an air ioniser and a Naim for Bentley audio system. Bespoke treadplates feature outlines of the Mark VI and Continental GT alongside the inscription ‘Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of production in Crewe, 1946-2026’.
Bentley’s Pyms Lane site originally produced Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engines before becoming a car manufacturing facility in 1946. The first car built there was the Bentley Mark VI, powered by a 4,257cc six-cylinder engine.
Production of the Mark VI ended in 1951, with 4,001 examples built, including 3,171 with the standard steel body.
The Heritage Collection car displayed at the anniversary event is one of 241 coachbuilt four-door, six-light saloons produced by H.J. Mulliner. Delivered to its first owner, William Lount of Alabastine Co Ltd, in January 1950, it joined Bentley’s Heritage Collection in 2021.
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