The Story of Mulliner heritage

The Story of Mulliner

Historical Mulliner coachbuilding heritage

Five Centuries of Craftsmanship

The Mulliner name has been synonymous with the finest coachbuilding in the world for over 460 years. The story begins in 1559, when the Mulliner family first established itself as a maker of luxury horse-drawn carriages for British royalty, aristocracy, and heads of state. Long before the automobile existed, the name Mulliner already stood for uncompromising quality and the art of creating something extraordinary by hand.

Across the centuries that followed, Mulliner carriages carried kings, queens, and dignitaries. The craftsmanship was so highly regarded that the family business became one of the most sought-after coachbuilders in England, earning a reputation that would endure far beyond the age of the horse and carriage.

The Age of the Automobile

As the world transitioned from horse-drawn transport to motor cars in the early 20th century, Mulliner’s artisans adapted their centuries of expertise to a new canvas. The same hands that had shaped elegant carriage bodies now crafted bespoke automobile coachwork, applying time-honored techniques of woodworking, metalshaping, and upholstery to the emerging art of luxury motoring.

During this era, Mulliner became one of the most prestigious independent coachbuilders in Britain. Wealthy clients would purchase a rolling chassis from a manufacturer and commission Mulliner to design and build the body to their exact specifications — a tradition of personal commissioning that lives on in today’s Mulliner Bespoke and Coachbuilt programs.

Early Mulliner-bodied vintage Bentley
Bentley factory in Crewe England

Mulliner Joins Bentley

In 1959, Mulliner officially joined forces with Bentley, bringing centuries of coachbuilding heritage under one roof at the factory in Crewe, England. It was a natural union: Bentley’s engineering excellence paired with Mulliner’s unmatched artistry created something greater than either could achieve alone.

From that point forward, Mulliner became Bentley’s personal commissioning division — the custodian of the brand’s most exclusive and individual creations. The Crewe workshop became the home of hand-finished luxury, where dedicated artisans continued the traditions that Mulliner had practiced since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Artisans of Crewe

At the heart of Mulliner is a team of world-class artisans whose skills have been honed over years — and in some cases, passed down through generations. These craftspeople work in dedicated areas of the Crewe factory, where each Mulliner commission receives the time and attention it deserves.

The leather workshop hand-selects and stitches every hide. The wood shop sources, cuts, and finishes veneers from around the world. The paint shop applies layer after layer of color, each one inspected by eye and by hand. It takes hundreds of hours of skilled labor to complete a single Mulliner commission — a testament to the belief that true luxury cannot be rushed.

Mulliner artisan hand-stitching leather at Crewe
Bentley Batur modern Coachbuilt era

The Coachbuilt Revival

In 2020, Mulliner revived the art of coachbuilding with the Bentley Bacalar — the first ground-up coachbuilt Bentley in decades. Limited to just 12 cars, the Bacalar signaled to the world that the tradition of creating truly bespoke, one-of-a-kind automobiles was not only alive but thriving.

The Batur followed, limited to 18 units, introducing a bold new design language. Then came the Batur Convertible, with just 16 to be made. Each Coachbuilt creation pushes the boundaries of what a luxury car can be, while staying rooted in the same values of hand craftsmanship and personal commissioning that have defined Mulliner since 1559.

Mulliner Today at Bentley Denver

Today, Mulliner operates across three tiers of personalization — Curated, Bespoke, and Coachbuilt — ensuring that every Bentley client can find their perfect level of individuality. Whether you choose a hand-selected paint finish from the Curated collection or commission a ground-up Coachbuilt masterpiece, you are participating in a tradition that stretches back to the Tudor era.

At Bentley Denver, we are proud to be your gateway to the Mulliner experience. Visit our Lone Tree showroom or contact us to discover what five centuries of craftsmanship can create for you.

Modern Mulliner workshop at Crewe