click above to view more images of Bentley's artisans at work
We love Bentleys because of their exquisite sheetmetal and meticulously crafted interiors, but few understand the incredible amount of work it takes to make a Bentley a world class GT. We were able to spend a few minutes with a couple of Bentley artisans at the Detroit Auto Show, and they explained how the storied automaker creates some of its impressive interior components. Needless to say, we were amazed with what we saw. It takes over three hours just to create one steering wheel, for instance, and the wood interior finishes come straight from our own forests in the USA. You can watch videos of both a steering wheel and some wood veneer being painstakingly crafted after the jump and view some of their handiwork in the gallery below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex @ Jan 15th 2008 11:35AM
i remember when i put one of those stiched leather steering wheel covers on my truck. WHAT A PAIN IN THE ASS! I have nothing but the absolute and utmost respect for a person who does that for a living. My fingers were bleeding, they ached and it took damn near forever.
... though i must admit i think i did a pretty good job for my first time out.
The Doctor @ Jan 15th 2008 12:03PM
Eee... I don' think much of them computers and t'internet; I much prefer me fork!
Eldiablo @ Jan 15th 2008 2:07PM
Thats forking impressive! Shame those footballers (soccer players for the US viewers) couldn't care less...
FThorn @ Jan 15th 2008 2:21PM
Autoshows should educate the public on their workforce and plants MORE. People would do well to see and empathize with the workers.
rincon_orange @ Jan 16th 2008 12:55AM
I would really love to see an entire TLC or Discovery series like "How it's made" that went into this much detail about cars. We've all seen the custom work, but it's just as amazing sometimes to see what goes into our everyday rides too.
case @ Jan 17th 2008 6:16PM
i really enjoyed this. one of the best things I've seen from the auto show coverage. i was at the LA auto show and Bentley didn't have anything like this.
i love watching people do difficult things well. that's why I liked American Chopper in the early shows, because they showed people actually making stuff. now they just yell at each other.
i guess i can always check out horsepower TV and see how to lift a truck or put new headers on my 68 camaro. if i were into that. which i'm not.