CREWE (August 27, 2026) – On August 29, the RREC—the International Club for Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts—will celebrate Bentley’s 80 years of production at the British Motor Museum. Cars brought by members from across the globe will be on display, representing Crewe-built heritage from the 1946 Mark VI through to the newest Continental GT. In tribute, Mulliner’s skilled designers and artisans have created a unique Continental GT Azure, thoughtfully curated in homage to the two-tone green and black Mulliner-bodied Mark VI that forms an important part of Bentley’s Heritage Collection.

Both cars will be displayed together at the event, uniting two defining chapters in Bentley’s story. While eight decades separate them, each embodies the enduring values that have shaped the marque throughout its history: effortless performance, exceptional comfort, and the finest British craftsmanship. The result is a compelling celebration of Bentley’s past, present, and future.

Curated color palette
Today’s Bentley customers enjoy an unparalleled spectrum of personalization, with almost 100 exterior paint finishes available across solid, metallic, satin, ombré, and Spectraflair finishes. Yet when creating this special anniversary theme, Mulliner’s designers looked not to modern trends but to timeless elegance, drawing inspiration directly from the two-tone black and green Mark VI held within the Heritage Collection.

The Continental GT Azure is finished in solid Barnato Green, paired with a Mulliner Black contrasting roof that echoes the distinctive appearance of its historic predecessor. Azure exterior brightwork is complemented by the carbon-fiber Styling Specification, creating a striking balance between heritage and modernity. Black-painted and bright-machined 22-inch ten-spoke wheels complete the exterior, accented by black brake calipers and self-leveling Bentley “B” wheel badges.

Classic inspiration
Considered the height of luxury in 1946, the Mark VI Bentley was trimmed in Connolly leather, walnut veneer, and wool pile carpet, while practical enhancements such as an improved heater and defroster aided its grand tourer credentials. The Mulliner Continental GT Azure stays true to the thematic colors of the Heritage Collection Mark VI while offering driver and passengers the last word in wellness technology.

The deep, rich red of Cricket Ball main hide is matched with Beluga secondary hide, creating the visual ambiance of a classic Bentley interior. However, the upholstery’s contrast stitching and piping, embroidered Azure emblems, diamond quilting, and perforations are a showcase for exquisite craftsmanship beyond anything achievable 80 years ago.

In a nod to the burr walnut dashboard of the Mark VI, the Continental GT Azure features a dark-stained burr walnut over Grand Black piano veneer, separated by a chrome pinstripe that extends across the fascia and into the waistrails. Bentley’s Rotating Display allows the driver to select between high-definition touchscreen, traditional analog dials, or plain veneer, the latter two creating a fitting interior ambiance for a vehicle conceived in celebration of Bentley’s past.

Other specification highlights include front seat Comfort and Wellness specifications, air ionizer, and a concert-standard Naim for Bentley audio system. As a bespoke finishing touch, the treadplates feature graphic outlines of the Mark VI and Continental GT inscribed “Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of production in Crewe, 1946–2026.”

The Heritage Collection Bentley Mark VI
Constructed in 1938 to build the iconic Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engines, the Pyms Lane factory began a new chapter as an auto plant in 1946. The first vehicle to roll off the production lines was a Bentley Mark VI, which was offered either with the J.P. Blatchley-designed standard steel body shell or as a rolling chassis for independent coachbuilders.

Powered by a six-cylinder 4,257 cc B60 engine, the Mark VI was both powerful and reliable, often achieving over 100,000 miles (161,000 km) without major overhaul. In an era of austerity, the Mark VI found a ready audience for its air of understated elegance. By the end of production in 1951, 4,001 had been built, of which 3,171 featured the standard steel body.

The two-tone green and black Mark VI in the Heritage Collection is one of 241 coachbuilt four-door, six-light sedans created by H.J. Mulliner, then an independent coachbuilder. It was delivered in January 1950 to its first owner, William Lount of Alabastine Co. Ltd. It joined the Heritage Collection in 2021.