A Century of Cars Lined Pyms Lane to Mark 80 Years of Bentley

The line of cars began with EXP3, the first Bentley ever delivered to a customer. It stretched down Pyms Lane in Crewe, a chronological display of the marque’s history. At the other end sat a 2025 Flying Spur Speed. In between, 105 other vehicles owned by members of the Bentley Drivers Club filled the gaps, representing every significant era from the W.O. Bentley cars and Derby years to the modern range, including iconic Blowers and the Bentayga.

The gathering marked 80 years of car production at the company’s headquarters in Crewe. Owners travelled from across the world for the event, which also coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Bentley Drivers Club. The 107 cars returned to the place where generations of vehicles have been handcrafted since the first one rolled off the production line in 1946.

A One-Off GTC

To commemorate the milestone, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, Mulliner, created a unique Continental GTC. The car is finished in an exclusive paint called Supernova Purple Ombre, developed for the occasion by the brand's Paint Shop and CMF/Bespoke teams. The exterior color transitions from Supernova Purple to Supernova Purple Dark.

The car features a bespoke '80' side graphic with a reverse ombré effect, complemented by contrasting wheel finishes. Inside the handcrafted cabin, the commemorative theme continues with embroidered '80' headrests. A bespoke airbrushed graphic on the fascia depicts the iconic Design Studio building, celebrating eight decades of Bentley manufacturing in Crewe.

The Dream Factory

The Crewe site was originally constructed in 1938 to build Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engines. Today, it serves as the heart of Bentley, integrating design, research and development, and manufacturing on a single campus. The company refers to it as the Dream Factory.

The historic site is nearing the end of a significant transformation into what Bentley calls a next-generation Dream Factory. This project involves developing a digital, flexible, and innovative manufacturing facility. Recent additions include a new Design Studio, Engineering Technical Centre, and a Paint Shop that was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal earlier this month. Work is also underway to convert the oldest building on-site into an assembly facility for the company’s first electric car, with the global launch of the next Bentley, Torcal, approaching.

Andreas Lehe, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, connected the eighty-year history to the company's future. “For 80 years, it is the extraordinary people of Crewe who have defined Bentley’s success,” he said. “As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we are equally focused on the future. Through our transformation into a next-generation Dream Factory, we are investing in world-class facilities, advanced technologies and sustainable manufacturing, ensuring that the unique skills and expertise of our people continue to set the benchmark for luxury automotive production for decades to come.”

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