‘Our motto is: ‘If you can imagine it, we can create it,’’ At first glance this may read like the motto of Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division. However, these are the words of George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department, a man who describes his business as ‘NIKEiD meets Mulliner’.

A long-time Bentley customer, Bamford has designed and commissioned a bespoke Mulsanne Speed to his own unique specification, delivered by Mulliner. His dark-themed Mulsanne Speed features unique details and the finished car is striking, stealthy and contemporary in equal measure.

The Bamford Watch Department specialises in the bespoke customisation of wristwatches, their signature is the all-black colour scheme. Bamford’s family own an extensive car collection featuring many extraordinary Bentleys, with Mulliner frequently cited by him as a key influence in the founding of his business. This unique interpretation of the Bentley Mulsanne is a true reflection of his style.

Dark Signature

As his signature, the Bamford Mulsanne features more black and dark-tinted elements than any Bentley before, with a Beluga finish to all of the interior and exterior brightware, including 21” Mulliner Driving Specification wheels.

The finish was achieved through the process of Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD). The coating material that produces the dark-tint finish is vaporised, and deposited on each piece of brightware, bonding molecularly with the base material. As well as the beautiful aesthetic created, PVD coatings are harder-wearing and offer increased corrosion resistance.

Mulliner Hidden Delights

To contrast the dark theme of the interior, Bamford specified a number of accent details to be finished in vibrant Kingfisher blue – a hue very close to a colour frequently used in the Bamford Watch Department colour palette. While developing the colour for use in his car, the Mulliner team subjected a colour sample to multiple tests including ultra-violet endurance, extreme temperature conditions and material shrinkage analysis.

Kingfisher accents are seen in the front centre armrest, smartphone drawer and illuminated rear seat cabinet, in addition to a contrast stripe to the steering wheel and the face of the front console clock.

Seating Inspired by Suiting

With a desire to trim the centre of the seats in a way that would complement the material of a suit, Mr Bamford decided to trim the centre panels in fabric. To highlight this, the Kingfisher accent was applied again, using a very specific and unusual stitching design. The 4 mm Kingfisher pinstripe sits between two stitch lines that fall 6 mm apart, framing the pinstripe and accentuating the contrast colour even further.

Bespoke Watch Case by Mulliner

Many Mulsanne customers specify a Champagne Cooler or Cocktail Cabinet within the rear of the cabin, however with Bamford’s background in horology a different solution was required. Mulliner have adapted the illuminated cocktail cabinet to house a bespoke watch case finished in carbon fibre.

The case was Bamford’s own, modified by Mulliner in a new carbon fibre finish and with Bentley detailing. Mulliner’s own cocktail cabinet design was then modified to accommodate the watch case, and trimmed in Kingfisher accent hide to match the other contrast details. This adaptation of the cocktail cabinet was done specifically for Bamford and is the first of its kind. Read more about Mulliner here.

Bentley Mulsanne Speed

Max power: 530 bhp / 395 kW / 537 PS @ 4000 rpm
Max torque: 1100 Nm / 811 lb.ft @ 1750 rpm
Engine: 6¾ litre twin-turbocharged V8
Acceleration: 0 – 60 mph / 4.8 seconds, 0 – 100 km/h 4.9 seconds
Max speed: 190 mph / 305 km/h

Bamford x Mulliner (Bentley Mulsanne Speed)

Main Specification:
Main Paint: Beluga (solid)
Main Hide: Beluga
Secondary Hide: Beluga
Carpets: Beluga
Seat Piping: Kingfisher
Contrast Binding Colour to Overmats: Kingfisher
Seat Emblem Stitching: Beluga
Veneer: Piano Black with Carbon Fibre waistrail inlay
Illuminated treadplates to all four doors

Bentley Motors is today unveiling the Mulsanne Hallmark Series by Mulliner – a highly exclusive limited edition inspired by the finest precious metals and luxury materials used by the very best jewellers.

This limited edition is available across the Mulsanne range, and is the ultimate statement of luxury from Bentley’s flagship model.

Silver and Gold versions of the fifty-model series will be made available to customers. Precious metals have long been identified by hallmarks - stamps that prove their authenticity and value. Truly rare cars can be identified by hallmarks of their own; in this case bespoke Mulliner craftsmanship.

Exquisite design details from Mulliner – Bentley’s personal commissioning division – include a hallmarked silver or carat-gold-plated ‘Flying B’ mascot, a matching fine line running the length of the body; silver or gold metallic hide lining the storage compartments, complementery painted veneer and a stunning precious metal veneer inlay.

The Beauty of Bespoke – An Exquisite Exterior

The famous retractable ‘Flying B’ mascot is engraved with ‘Commissioned’ on one side and ‘By Mulliner’ on the other, and is hewn either from solid silver (featuring the Bentley hallmark) or finished with carat-gold plating.

Both models feature an exquisite handpainted fine line running the length of the coachwork, in either gold or silver. Duo or single-tone paint finishes are available with the Hallmark Series by Mulliner.

The imposing 21” polished alloy wheels and distinct Mulliner (or optional Serenity) grille create the ultimate statement of luxury.

Metallic Leather, Precious Metal Veneer Inlays and Bespoke Colour Splits

Inside, the Mulsanne Hallmark Series by Mulliner features front and rear seats trimmed in contrasting hides, to create a bespoke colour split. Stunning silver or gold embroidery, stitching and piping complete the exclusive interior design.

Unique metallic silver or gold hide lines the Hidden Delights storage spaces, inspired by the tailoring for the very best Savile Row suits. The hide on the seats and door panels has the delicate Mulliner quilting pattern, while the veneer is painted to perfectly match the secondary hide colour, creating a considered and elegant interior inspired by current interior design trends.

The fascia has a silver or gold overlay with a ‘Mulliner’ inscription, and there are solid silver or gold-plated inlay strips on all door waistrails.

Alcantara rear cushions matching the secondary hide, city umbrellas, illuminated treadplates featuring model-specific numbers (e.g. ‘1 of 50’), complete the truly extraordinary interior of this new, highly limited-edition Mulsanne Hallmark Series. An optional Mulliner cocktail cabinet can also be specified.

Mulliner – The Beauty of Bespoke

As Bentley’s personal commissioning division, Mulliner exists to respond to individual customer requests for further bespoke features.

The experienced team, supported by the in-house engineers and designers at Crewe, prides itself on a long history of fulfilling the desires and demands of Bentley’s most discerning customers worldwide.

The famous Rolls-Royce/Bentley L-series 6 3/4-liter V8 engine was introduced in 1959 and has been in continuous production ever since. The large, expensive, and emissions heavy V8 has been slowly phased out under Volkswagen’s ownership of the Crewe-based luxury car brand. The engine has been dead in the Rolls-Royce brand since it was taken over by BMW in the late 1990s. For nearly a decade the engine has trudged along in the ultra-lux Mulsanne, but now even that must come to an end.

As a retirement gift, it gets to live out the rest of its days aboard thirty examples of the limited Mulsanne 6.75 Edition by Mulliner. My grandfather got a watch when he retired. I guess thirty Bentleys is a good retirement gift. After the Mulsanne is gone, the Flying Spur will take over the top spot of Bentley’s hierarchy. Those are big shoes to fill, whippersnapper!

To celebrate the life of the 6.75-liter engine, the Mulsanne 6.75 features a bunch of special insignias, including a unique 6.75 Edition motif stitched into the seats, badged in chrome for the fenders and under the hood, and emblazoned in light projected by the “LED Welcome Lamps” in the doors. Further, the traditional Bentley “organ stop” control knobs will be replaced with a knob reminiscent of the engine’s oil cap. And finally, faces of the clock and other minor gauges will feature cutaway drawing schematics of the iconic 6.75 liter.Specific to this car will be an exterior treatment in gloss black instead of chrome, except the headlights and taillights will still be surrounded in bright chrome. It will also be fitted with the Mulsanne Speed wheels in a unique bright finish.

As more of these big charachterful engines get replaced with 4-liter twin turbocharged V8s in pretty much every brand Volkswagen owns, the world becomes a darker place. Rejoice that these thirty special edition cars exist, and then cry because you’re not likely to ever see one in person.

Farewell, Mr. Six-And-Three-Quarters. You served well. Enjoy retirement. Maybe take up a hobby.