From Milwaukee to Manchester, Goodyear’s blimp has been flying high for 100 years this June. To celebrate, here’s five famous flyby locations – and our favourite supercars from those regions. But which would you pick to pilot?
Of all the ways to travel, gliding through the sky in a 75-metre-long, helium-filled envelope, has to be one of the most peculiar. Seating just 14 passengers and offering a sedate (wind dependent) top speed of 73 mph, Goodyear’s Blimps aren’t the fastest or most practical way of getting from A to B.
But they are fantastic at one thing: capturing the public’s imagination. That’s why, nearly a century after its inception as one of the world’s highest advertising billboards, the branded blimp continues to fascinate and intrigue onlookers. And, having supported aerial coverage for over 2,500 events, there’s no shortage of people who have pointed to the sky in amazement — Goodyear estimates over 60 million Americans spot one of its three US airships annually.
It's not just Americans who get to enjoy the spectacle, either. Since Goodyear’s first branded Blimp (Pilgrim) took flight in 1925, the marque’s airships have visited hundreds of landmark locations across the world. But, rather than Big Ben or the Empire State building, today we’re more interested in the Blimp’s great motoring flybys. So, strap in as we take you on an aerial tour of the car industry’s most storied marques — and have a little fun along the way.
Flyby location: Chesire, England
Car brand: Bentley
Image credit: Shutterstock
As part of its most recent UK tour in 2022, the Goodyear Blimp floated its way across England to provide coverage of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch. Along the way, the airship called at Kent, Essex, and the home of
Bentley cars: Cheshire.
Much has changed at the Bentley’s Crewe facility since the Blimp made its inaugural UK voyage in 1972. Back then, Bentley was still partnered to Rolls Royce and building cars like the opulent but boat-like, T-Series. Such land yachts are a far cry from Bentley’s latest, jaw-dropping Bacalar grand tourer. Producing 650 bhp from its vast 6.0-litre W12 engine, this bespoke droptop maxes out at over 200 mph. But would you trade a blast behind the wheel for a shot at the Blimp’s yoke? Vote now.