Geneva best stand 2016; Bentley craftsman
Calling something the 'best' is by no way objective in this article, no this is purely a subjective thing. Geneva Best Stand 2016 goes to; Bentley.
Bentley had me convinced the second I saw the Mulsanne Mullinner but there was something more fascinating, a man called Noel Thompson to be precise. Yes, most of my opinion was formed by a man, not a car. A big man, a man with a sailor tattoo and the ability to love a company after working for it so long that he worked there when W.O. Bentley was still alive. He was talking very passionately about what he did for the company, being an interior craftsman there.
We stood only a few meters from the new Flying Spur V8S, the latest addition to Continental lineup. A Continental model with a 528 PS strong V8. After talking shortly about how his work changed over the years he started to talk about the hand-labour done in the cars. Over the years the brand has tried to replace some steps in the build by machines, only to return to manpower. A fork is more precise than a 150.000 euro machine that punches holes for that matter.
Noel stood at the end of a large table, a table covered in examples that showcases Bentleys abilities. At his end was a steering wheel in wich he was sowing the tread whilst he told us all he could in the few minutes we talked. Turning a multi national company into a very real personal company in the process.
Bentley earn the 'Geneva Best Stand 2016' for bringing that man to the show, a brand never showed itself so purely. Purely in the form of a man that embodies the brand more than ever car could.
