Bentley Factory Tour
Discussion
Been on the factory tour at Crewe today. Absolutely loved it. It was nice to see some of the traditional craftsmanship still in use, even on the new Contis. Only three robots in the whole place and they're not for assembly. When you see the effort that goes into the wood and leather, you can see why they cost money. We saw all the hides hung up, a good 20%+ of each hide is marked as scrap because of the tiniest flaws. The wood shop was an eye opener too, with hundreds of veneers on pallets in a 'humidor' room and all the polishing done by hand. Surprised to see that they build the W12 engines in Crewe, I thought they were shipped in from Germany.
Too much other interesting stuff to list except their were a few Booklands just being finished, they look stunning.
I'd recommend doing this to anyone, even the people in our group with no interest in cars were fixated.
Too much other interesting stuff to list except their were a few Booklands just being finished, they look stunning.
I'd recommend doing this to anyone, even the people in our group with no interest in cars were fixated.
Did you see the skull on the glovebox door lid in the veneer display room? Ozzie Osbourne wanted it apparently. Amazing the way they layered up the veneer and then pressed it onto the curvy aluminium substrate for the Conti/Spur. Still prefer a chunk of hardwood substrate myself though, old school.
The skull was pretty spooky. The way they ensure the veneers are all symmetrical throughout the cars was quite staggering. They still use the wood substrate for the door cappings. In fact for Arnage based cars, you can choose which wood they use under the veneer just in case you see the ends when the doors are open. Solid oak. maple, walnut, the choice is yours if your wallets deep enough.
Speaking of which, there was an Arnage in Mulliner's shed having ceramic brakes put on for £10k just because the owner doesn't like brake dust on his/her wheels. Also in Mulliner's was the armoured door that had been destruction tested with a machine gun. I liked the comment that one could choose the thickness of glass based on how unpopular one is
The overiding impression I took away was that Bentley are experts at making people feel very good about spending large amounts of money. Because you can see people making things with care, with their own hands, it almost seems like good value for money, despite the cost.
Speaking of which, there was an Arnage in Mulliner's shed having ceramic brakes put on for £10k just because the owner doesn't like brake dust on his/her wheels. Also in Mulliner's was the armoured door that had been destruction tested with a machine gun. I liked the comment that one could choose the thickness of glass based on how unpopular one is
The overiding impression I took away was that Bentley are experts at making people feel very good about spending large amounts of money. Because you can see people making things with care, with their own hands, it almost seems like good value for money, despite the cost.
Yes, Crewe is the business. I was last there as long ago as 1972 I'm afraid, but it sounds as if the traditions and techniques haven't changed. Cars were test driven before they received their final coat of paint, and standards demanded were very very high. The last thing to be fitted was the radiator grille, which was hand made by some very dedicated types out of strips of stainless steel. So all the cars you saw being test driven were radiator-less. I don't know how Rolls can rebuild a tradition from scratch in Goodwood having basically left their entire workforce behind at Crewe.
Incidentally, do you see how much the mascots now cost as optional extras? Worth every penny if you are thinking about it by the way.
Incidentally, do you see how much the mascots now cost as optional extras? Worth every penny if you are thinking about it by the way.
I don't think they need to test drive the cars anymore, with or without grille. They have two rolling roads, one to simulate bumps so that a man can sit inside and check for squeaks etc and one where they run it up to speed then check for oil/water leaks.
I can believe the mascots are mega-bucks. When we were in the Mulliner bit the guide told us that the only limitations were"your imagination, the size of your wallet and that it's legal".
I can believe the mascots are mega-bucks. When we were in the Mulliner bit the guide told us that the only limitations were"your imagination, the size of your wallet and that it's legal".
I'd like to do the tour one day. Was certainly pleased with my Bentley - the whole experience of buying it and the aftercare has been very good, particularly when compared to Aston and Lambo (and Range Rover even) for example. Also there's something rather special about going to buy your first brand new Bentley and driving off in it - it does stir the heart!
I didn't realise the engines were built in Crewe.
The cabin in the new GT's has to be one of the finest places to sit, just gorgeous. I'm currently seriously tempted by the Brooklands Bentley but know that the depreciation would irritate me.
cardigankid said:
Put your money in an Investment Fund, then not only will you get no fun out of it, it will depreciate even faster. Would that make you feel better? These are not built as investments, but might just prove to be in the very very long term.
I realise cars are not investments - I have a few cars and investments, so am well aware. However, some cars depreciate so rapidly that it does mildly irritate the serious buyer. Bentleys that cost around £250,000 can lose a massive amount in a short time - even those of us with deep pockets can be made to hesitate.Of course. It was the use of the word 'irritate' that got me going. I sort of took from it that you could afford it (maybe you can) but you don't expect to be subject to the normal laws of gravity.
You are quite right. My point is only that assuming I could afford one (and I can't) and the depreciation wouldn't put me out of my house (which it would) then I would buy it, because the depreciation is a small price to pay for the extraordinary privilege of going down to Crewe as a customer and picking up a brand new Bentley, built specifically for you and to your requirements. That, genuinely, is a thrill, against which depreciation is, as you describe it, just an irritation.
You are quite right. My point is only that assuming I could afford one (and I can't) and the depreciation wouldn't put me out of my house (which it would) then I would buy it, because the depreciation is a small price to pay for the extraordinary privilege of going down to Crewe as a customer and picking up a brand new Bentley, built specifically for you and to your requirements. That, genuinely, is a thrill, against which depreciation is, as you describe it, just an irritation.
Chaps, quite. But, if you buy for keeps, as you should with a Brooklands, it don't matter do it? Now a Continental GT, fair enough, it is a two or three year change cycle car, luxury white goods if you like. Naturally, you have to keep an eye on residuals.
But a Brooklands, IMO, should be out of the loop on that score. It's a piece of rolling automotive heritage, a family heirloom to be, not a settlement figure or a book price in a few years time. It's a shame to think of a car like that in such terms, if you do, maybe it's not the right car for you, or you're just not rich enough
BG, having eased one out, now runs away like hell........
But a Brooklands, IMO, should be out of the loop on that score. It's a piece of rolling automotive heritage, a family heirloom to be, not a settlement figure or a book price in a few years time. It's a shame to think of a car like that in such terms, if you do, maybe it's not the right car for you, or you're just not rich enough
BG, having eased one out, now runs away like hell........
Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 11th February 20:53
Balmoral Green said:
Chaps, quite. But, if you buy for keeps, as you should with a Brooklands, it don't matter do it? Now a Continental GT, fair enough, it is a two or three year change cycle car, luxury white goods if you like. Naturally, you have to keep an eye on residuals.
But a Brooklands, IMO, should be out of the loop on that score. It's a piece of rolling automotive heritage, a family heirloom to be, not a settlement figure or a book price in a few years time. It's a shame to think of a car like that in such terms, if you do, maybe it's not the right car for you, or you're just not rich enough
I would be tempted to wait until it's half the current price and let someone else pay the depreciation and VAT. If I was buying through my companies (rather than personally) then the decision would be easier, but chucking away £100k + is not something I'd like to do - which is why, I is considerably reecher than Yaow! But a Brooklands, IMO, should be out of the loop on that score. It's a piece of rolling automotive heritage, a family heirloom to be, not a settlement figure or a book price in a few years time. It's a shame to think of a car like that in such terms, if you do, maybe it's not the right car for you, or you're just not rich enough
I really don't think a modern Bentley is a family heirloom - they are a very different car to those made in the early 30's, for example. In ten to fifteen years time the Brooklands will be an old barge, sad to say, but inevitable. You can buy a seven year old Arnage today for £34k - they cost new over £160k, some heirloom!
Oh they will. How many are they producing. There was a time when Clouds and S's were barges. There was a time when Shadows and T's were barges, but that is rapidly going. And equally there was a time when you couldn't give Derby's away, because, of course they weren't Bentleys my dear...
A new one is your own, that is the point, made for you. Otherwise what is the point in having the money. Do you buy your suits in M&S? (Like me)
A new one is your own, that is the point, made for you. Otherwise what is the point in having the money. Do you buy your suits in M&S? (Like me)
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