Bentley marks 75 years since first Bentley Mk VI was built

Bentley Motors is marking the 75 year anniversary of car production at its factory in Crewe, England. The Bentley Mk VI was the first model to roll off the Crewe production line in 1946, which succeeded the Mk V, which was built in Derby and today stands proudly on display on Pyms Lane.

During this 75 year period, 197,086 luxury cars – 97 per cent of Bentley’s entire production – have been handcrafted, an extraordinary milestone when considered that just 38,933 were built before modern day models such as the Continental GT and Bentayga were introduced from the turn of the century.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
The Bentley Mk V on display on Pyms Lane

Remarkably, records show that 84 per cent of all cars built in Crewe for the UK market are still on the road today, with that number growing at unmatched levels. Bentley is currently building 85 cars per day; one month’s output, two decades ago.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
Construction begins on the Pyms Lane factory in Crewe

Commenting on the significant achievement, Peter Bosch, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said:

“For 75 years Crewe has been synonymous with luxury car manufacturing – a global showcase of craftsmanship and quality. In that time, our colleagues have produced some of the world’s most iconic and desirable products, including cars for global royalty and unique personal commissions.



Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
The completed Pyms Lane factory in 1940

“Beyond bricks and mortar, this milestone pays homage to the colleagues who have built our brand in Crewe, and I’d like to express my thanks and admiration for their dedication over three quarters of a century.

“With our most recent investment we have transformed our historic factory into a collaborative modern campus; a carbon-neutral, innovative, low environmental impact site that retains the best of our heritage while looking strongly to the future. In many factory areas, modern, digitised production systems complement traditional craftsmanship skills employed on our cars since 1946.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
Bentley Mk VI production line in 1946

“As we cautiously emerge from the pandemic, we look forward to welcoming our customers back to Crewe to experience our unique factory and meet our colleagues in person.”

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
Engine production at Crewe in 1950

Although Bentley’s history dates back to 1919, Crewe became part of the luxury marque’s story in 1938; the Pyms Lane site transforming from potato fields to a significant manufacturing base for the Merlin aeroplane engines, a key pillar of the war efforts. Selected due to its strong transport links and ready supply of skilled labour, at peak in 1943, the Crewe factory employed over 10,000 colleagues.

The GPBox Vintage Car Memorabilia Collection

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
The iconic Bentley R-Type Continental

With car production having ceased in the war years, the former home of the company in Derby was committed to building new-era jet engines in 1946, meaning a new location was required. Colleagues had to be retrained in techniques necessary for car manufacture, such as painting, anti-corrosion preparation, body mounting and woodwork.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
Production line in 1980

The Bentley Mark VI became the first car to be built entirely at Bentley’s Crewe works and the first to be offered with a pressed-steel body shell as standard. The 4.3-litre straight six engine used at launch was upgraded to a more powerful 4.6-litre unit in 1951. Coachbuilt cars were still available, but the Mark VI signalled the dawn of a new era in Bentley car production and became one of the marque’s biggest selling cars in history.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
Jumping to a production line in 2000



What followed prior to the modern era were many iconic models of their time produced in Crewe, including the R-Type Continental, Turbo R, Arnage and Azure.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
The Bentley factory at Crewe today

Arguably the biggest change to Pyms Lane, Crewe, took place in 1998, following the acquisition of Bentley by the Volkswagen Group. The Group immediately invested significantly to modernise the factory and transformed the company into the one that exists today, creating a platform for an illustrious period in the history of Bentley Motors.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
Current production at Crewe

Pyms Lane has remained the focal point for Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe since the company arrived in 1938. What stands today are industry-leading facilities that are fully carbon neutral, the first luxury car brand to achieve such a feat.

Bentley marks 75 years since first Mk VI was built at Crewe
The Bentley Continental GT Speed

Over the coming weeks, Bentley’s subsequent investment in Pyms Lane will be realised with the opening of an Engineering Test Centre and R&D building – both of which will further support Bentley’s journey towards electrification. The company aims to be end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030, with the Crewe factory climate positive thereafter. Bentley will move to full electrification – PHEV or BEV only – by 2026, then switch the entire model range to battery electric vehicles by 2030.

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