October 28, 2013 (Monday)
Recently I saw a television program about the Bentley automobiles and how they are made. The price range, I think, is $180,000 to $360,000, or thereabouts. If I remember correctly, it takes about seven months to manufacture one of these cars. The Rolls Royce automobiles cost more money, and probably take about the same amount of time to build.
When I worked in an automobile plant almost 60 years ago, about 51 cars came off the end of the assembly line every hour of every day. With two 8-hour shifts, and a 5-day work week, that amounted to 4080 cars per week. Cars today that are similar to those models cost $30,000 to $60,000, I believe. Back then, in the mid 1950’s, they cost around $2500 each.
I was quite impressed with the quality of the Bentley automobile. Everything in one of those cars has received personal attention and the careful scrutiny of talented and skilled craftsmen who take a great deal of pride in their work. Months ago, I saw a similar program about the Rolls Royce vehicles. The two programs were quite similar, featuring hands-on, personal work by caring people at every stage of production. One does not speak of a “used” Bentley or Rolls Royce–only “previously owned.” And please say that with pronounced London diction.
A year or two ago I saw an article about a lady who has been driving a 1964 Mercury “Comet” automobile for nearly 50 years. I’m sure she wonders why all the fuss about these hand-made cars that cost so much. Her automobile is just fine, thank you. At 93 years of age, with eye problems, she no longer drives it, but she still loves it.