Two Old-Timers Are Getting Divorced
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| A 1907 Silver Ghost, part of Rolls-Royce's collection, sits next to a Silver Storm colored 2002 Corniche, the last Rolls-Royce to be built at the legendary Crewe plant. |
I've heard it so many times, "We just grew apart" or "The two of us didn't share the same interests anymore." Separation is usually a sad story but oftentimes liberating to one if not both individuals. In the case of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the fact that they have both "found someone new" is the boost each luxury marque needed.
After 56 years of sharing the same Crewe, England manufacturing plant, production has ended and new promising beginnings lie ahead for the world's most recognizable premium brands. After all, the two had spent so much time together they looked almost identical. Rolls-Royce is soon to be in the capable hands of BMW while Bentley is already undergoing radical improvements for future models by current owner Volkswagen.
The last Rolls-Royce rolled off the 'assembly line' on August 30th. The Silver Storm colored Corniche convertible will not be kept alongside the 1907 Silver Ghost that inspired the new cars unique interior design however. Instead the hallowed vintage will stay part of VW's collection. While the end of Crewe Rolls-Royce manufacture marks the literal end of an era, September 16th heralds in the dawn of production in a new plant in the south of England, and what will undoubtedly be the most technically advanced Rolls-Royce models ever. Bentley Motors Ltd. will ironically keep the Crewe facilities that Rolls-Royce adapted to include Bentley production in 1946, after it rescued the financially orphaned brand from certain oblivion in 1932.