Behind the Build: How Prestige Parts® Remanufactures Rolls-Royce & Bentley Components
For classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley owners, sourcing replacement parts can be a challenge, especially for discontinued components. Prestige Parts® specializes in remanufacturing these critical parts to meet or exceed OEM specifications, ensuring these iconic vehicles stay on the road for years to come.
In this video, John Tupper, Managing Director of IntroCar, takes us through the remanufacturing journey, highlighting some of the innovative techniques used to bring previously unavailable parts back to life.
1. Precision Engineering: The Hydraulic Brake Pump
One of the most complex parts to remanufacture is the hydraulic brake pump, fitted to Rolls-Royce and Bentley models from 1965 to 2003. Originally available only as a reconditioned part, Prestige Parts® now manufactures an entirely new version, offering superior reliability.
Key innovations:
- Micron-level precision: The most critical internal component is engineered to a tolerance of one micron (one-quarter the size of a grain of smoke).
- Improved materials: Enhancements over the original design prevent premature wear and ensure longevity.
- Stronger and more reliable: Avoiding the weaknesses of used components, the newly manufactured version performs better under stress.
2. Solving Supply Chain Challenges: The Decarbonisation Set
Bentley Motors' decision to stop supplying independent parts resellers posed a challenge for Prestige Parts®, particularly for the Turbo R and Arnage Red Label decarbonisation kits. To keep these vital kits available, Prestige Parts® moved swiftly to manufacture every single component from scratch—requiring an investment of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
As a result, every part of these kits—from complex head gaskets to simple paper gaskets—is now sourced or produced in-house, ensuring continued availability for workshops and enthusiasts.
3. Innovation in Manufacturing: The Coolant Gallery
Some parts present unique engineering challenges, like the coolant gallery for the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley Mark VI. The original brass design suffered from heat distortion, causing misalignment.
Prestige Parts® developed an improved solution:
- Replaced the old folded-and-soldered method with a single, seamless tube to eliminate warping.
- Invested in bulk production, manufacturing over one kilometer of tubing to achieve the highest possible quality.
- Significantly improved durability, ensuring better cooling distribution across all six cylinders.
4. Advanced Techniques: Air Intake Grilles & 3D Printing
Prestige Parts® also applies aerospace engineering techniques to recreate intricate components like the Silver Cloud air intake grille. The original design required expensive metal tooling, making reproduction unfeasible.
Key innovations:
- Aeronautical-grade adhesives: The same materials used in Eurofighter jets were used to create an ultra-durable grille.
- Laser-cut mesh: A modern alternative to traditional steel mesh for improved strength and longevity.
- 3D Printing for low-volume parts: Some hard-to-source components, like steering reservoirs, are now produced using high-precision 3D printing technology, enabling cost-effective manufacturing.
5. Safety & Quality: Steering Track Rod Ball Pins
Some components are safety-critical, requiring rigorous testing before they are released. The steering track rod ball pin, for example, is engineered to be ductile rather than brittle, ensuring it bends under extreme conditions rather than snapping—preventing catastrophic failure.
Every batch undergoes:
- Material certification & hardness testing
- Batch tracking & laboratory inspections
- Heat treatment to balance wear resistance and flexibility
The Future of Prestige Parts® Remanufacturing
Prestige Parts® is committed to preserving and improving Rolls-Royce and Bentley components, ensuring owners can continue maintaining their vehicles with confidence. The next-generation bumper program is already in progress, with UK-made chrome bumpers for classic models expected in 2025.
“We want to make the best possible parts for these cars—not just recreate them, but improve them where we can.” – John Tupper, Managing Director
Have a specific part you'd like to see remanufactured? Get in touch with us—your feedback helps shape the future of Prestige Parts®.
For more details, visit www.prestigeparts.org.