31 Lamels chromed grill Mansory for Bentey Continental GT

Mansory 31-Lamels Chromed Grille for Bentley Continental GT (3W, 2003–2011)

The front grille of the Bentley Continental GT first generation is a brand signature, not simply a ventilation opening. Nine horizontal chrome crossbars define its face — a design lineage referencing Bentley's early road and competition heritage. When Mansory addressed the Continental GT 3W programme, the grille was not replaced with a carbon mesh or louvre panel. Instead Mansory produced a direct reinterpretation in chrome: 31 individual vertical chrome lamels, precision-manufactured and mounted in a structural frame that fits the same OEM aperture. The lamel count shifts from 9 to 31; the orientation from horizontal to vertical; the total chrome surface area increases dramatically. The material language — chrome — is preserved throughout. This is a reinterpretation of a Bentley tradition rather than a departure from it, and it sits at the centre of the Mansory Carbon Fiber Body Kit Set for Bentley Continental GT as the single component with the greatest visual impact on the front face.

Construction & Materials

The 31 lamel elements are die-cast in brass or zinc alloy and processed through a three-stage automotive triple-chrome plating sequence: a copper strike coat for adhesion and porosity fill; a semi-bright nickel mid-coat to build the reflective base and provide an electrochemical barrier; and a micro-cracked chromium top coat to the automotive exterior brightwork standard. The result is a surface finish comparable to OEM Bentley chrome window surrounds in reflectivity and durability. The lamels are mounted in a structural outer frame produced in carbon fibre composite (minimum weight) or high-impact ABS polymer. Both variants are dimensioned to the OEM Continental GT 3W grille aperture. Precision-machined end brackets at each lamel tip maintain a uniform 9 mm centre-to-centre pitch across the full grille width. The frame integrates the OEM spring-clip mounting positions and retains the Bentley badge boss at the centre top, so the OEM Flying B or flat oval badge transfers without modification. The assembly arrives as a complete, ready-to-install unit — no owner assembly required.

• Lamels: 31 vertical chrome-plated elements, approx 9 mm centre-to-centre pitch
• Chrome spec: triple-chrome (copper strike + semi-bright nickel + chromium), automotive exterior standard
• Frame: carbon fibre composite or ABS structural outer frame, OEM aperture fit
• Lamel material: chrome-plated brass or zinc-alloy die-cast
• Badge mount: OEM Bentley Flying B or oval badge position retained at grille centre-top
• Mounting: OEM spring-clip pattern retained in Mansory frame
• Weight: approx 1.4 kg complete assembly
• Finish: chrome throughout — no painted or anodised lamel surfaces

Design & Visual Function

The OEM 9-bar Continental GT grille reads as architectural and open. Each bar is wide enough to be individually resolved from 15 metres; the generous gaps between bars let the eye pass through to the engine bay behind. The overall effect is structured, legible, and consistent with the OEM car's character of restrained authority. Mansory's 31-lamel vertical pattern produces an entirely different visual reading. At 9 mm pitch, the 31 narrow chrome lamels fill the aperture to the point where inter-lamel gaps are barely visible without close inspection. From approach distance the grille face appears almost solid chrome — a dense, jewel-like mass that reads as chrome volume rather than a structured open frame. The visual weight is dramatically greater than the OEM grille. The orientation shift from horizontal to vertical also changes the grille's compositional role: where the OEM bars echo the bonnet line and bumper edge, the Mansory vertical lamels introduce a deliberate counter-point that makes the grille a focal element rather than a continuation of the surrounding body surface. In direct sunlight, 31 individual chrome elements generate multi-point dynamic reflections that shift continuously with viewing angle — an effect the broader OEM bars cannot replicate. For concours presentations and static photography, this dynamic behaviour makes the 31-lamel grille the most visually arresting single front-face modification available for the Continental GT 3W.

The denser 31-lamel pattern has a lower free-area ratio than the OEM 9-bar grille — lamel body widths of approximately 8 mm at 9 mm pitch leave roughly 1 mm inter-lamel gaps. The functional impact is modest because the upper grille on the Continental GT 3W feeds primarily the charge-air intercooler top section and engine bay ventilation; the primary radiator receives its cooling airflow through the large lower bumper aperture. Air velocity through the narrower inter-lamel gaps increases relative to OEM, partially offsetting the reduced free area. In sustained road use no measurable increase in coolant or charge-air temperatures has been observed. Owners using the car at sustained track speeds in ambient temperatures above 35°C should monitor temperatures as a standard precaution with any modified grille.

Compatibility & Fitment

Fits Bentley Continental GT first generation, chassis designation 3W, 2003–2011. Covers the Continental GT coupé and Continental GTC convertible — the upper front grille aperture is identical across both body styles. Compatible with the W12 6.0-litre twin-turbo and V8 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine variants; engine specification does not affect grille aperture geometry. Designed for both the OEM Continental GT front bumper and the Mansory aftermarket carbon front bumper. Not compatible with the second-generation Continental GT (D2A chassis, 2011 onward) due to the different front bumper and grille aperture geometry. OEM badge and Flying B retain their mounting positions in the Mansory frame with no relocation required. The component is laterally symmetric — identical for LHD and RHD vehicles.

Installation & Reversibility

Grille replacement is one of the simplest exterior modifications on the Continental GT 3W — approximately 20–30 minutes including badge transfer. The OEM grille is retained by spring clips (typically six, around the perimeter of the frame) accessible from the front of the bumper without bumper removal. A plastic trim pry tool releases the clips; the OEM grille draws forward. The Mansory frame aligns to the aperture and presses rearward until all clips engage — each produces a distinct click at full engagement. The modification is fully reversible: the OEM grille reinstalls in the same time with no evidence of modification. The critical check before driving is clip alignment: any partially engaged clip will allow the grille to vibrate at highway speed. Verify all clips by hand pressure across the grille face — a correctly installed unit will not deflect at any point. No tools beyond the trim pry tool are required.

Pairing within the Mansory Continental GT 3W Programme

The 31-lamel chrome grille is engineered to sit within the opening of the Mansory carbon front bumper with front lip — bumper aperture and grille frame are co-designed for a precise, factory-quality interface. Above the grille zone, the Mansory logo for front bonnet adds a second layer of Mansory identity directly above the grille opening. The Mansory carbon engine bonnet continues the front-face transformation from the bonnet line upward, its carbon fibre surface transitioning from the chrome-intensive grille zone. Laterally, the Mansory carbon mirror housings carry the programme rearward along the car's sides, and the Mansory carbon side skirts extend it along the lower body.

Maintenance & Durability

Triple-chrome plating to automotive spec is durable in normal use but requires active maintenance to resist road salt pitting and acid-rain etching. Salt accumulates in the narrow inter-lamel gaps and can remain in contact with chrome unless removed. After salted-road exposure, rinse thoroughly with fresh water and use a soft brush in the inter-lamel gaps to dislodge salt a rinse alone may miss. Apply a chrome-specific sealant — automotive wax or ceramic coating rated for chrome brightwork — seasonally. Do not use abrasive polishes: the chromium top coat is thin and abrasives will compromise both reflectivity and corrosion protection. Road stone chips exposing bare metal must be sealed promptly with chrome-compatible clear lacquer. The structural frame (carbon or ABS) requires only standard exterior cleaning. Expected chrome service life with seasonal care: 15–20 years. Neglected chrome in road-salt environments can pit within 3–5 years; close inter-lamel spacing accelerates salt retention, making seasonal maintenance especially important.

Lead Time & Warranty

Ships in 2–3 weeks from order confirmation. The grille is supplied as a complete ready-to-install unit — all 31 lamels mounted in frame, mounting hardware included, badge boss in position. No owner assembly required. 12-month warranty covers: chrome delamination (plating separation from substrate); individual lamel mounting failure (lamel detaching from frame in normal use); and frame dimensional fit failure (frame not seating correctly in OEM or Mansory bumper aperture due to manufacturing error). Road chip damage to chrome plating is a consequence of road debris impact, not a manufacturing defect, and is excluded.

FAQ

Q: Does the 31-lamel grille fit the OEM bumper as well as the Mansory bumper?
A: Yes — the Mansory frame fits the OEM Continental GT 3W bumper grille aperture and the Mansory carbon bumper opening equally. If ordering without the Mansory bumper, it installs directly into your OEM bumper in place of the 9-bar grille using the same clip positions. No bumper modification required.

Q: Is this a 15-lamel or 31-lamel grille?
A: This is the 31-lamel specification — 31 vertical chrome bars at 9 mm centre-to-centre pitch. For the Continental GT 3W, this is the Mansory programme exclusively. The 31-lamel count produces the dense, near-solid chrome face that defines the Mansory 3W grille aesthetic from approach distance.

Q: Will the denser grille affect W12 cooling at track speeds?
A: In road use, no measurable coolant temperature increase has been observed. The upper grille feeds primarily the charge-air intercooler top section and engine bay ventilation — the main radiator receives cooling airflow through the lower bumper aperture. At extreme ambient temperatures with sustained track use, monitoring temperatures is prudent with any modified grille. Mansory has not documented overheating attributable to this component.

Q: Can I clean the lamels with a pressure washer?
A: Yes, at normal car-wash pressures (800–1500 psi at 30+ cm) a pressure wash clears the inter-lamel gaps effectively. Avoid ultra-high-pressure at very close range. A foam-lance pre-wash followed by rinse is optimal; finish with a chrome sealant on dry lamel surfaces.

Q: Can the OEM Flying B badge remain on the Mansory grille?
A: Yes — the Mansory frame incorporates the OEM badge boss at the centre top, positioned identically to the factory grille. The badge transfers directly. Some owners also fit the Mansory bonnet logo above the grille for a full Mansory front-face composition alongside the OEM badge.

Specify the Mansory 31-lamel chrome grille for your Continental GT 3W — contact us via WhatsApp +44 7488 818 747 or [email protected].