Would you rather fly Goodyear’s Blimp or drive these 5 supercars? 

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 

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. 

Flyby location: Milan, Italy 
Car brand: Alfa Romeo 

Don’t worry, Goodyear’s airship also frequents sunnier climbs. In the summer of 2021, the big Blimp floated over Milan on a quest to cover the World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Monza racetrack. Also visiting Venice, Verona, and Gorizia along the way, we’re sure this particular voyage wasn’t a chore to pilot. 

So, why have we singled out Milan? Because it’s the home of Alfa Romeo, of course. Dating back to 1910, the Italian brand’s Milanese roots predate Goodyear’s blimp by some 15 years. In fact, Alfa Romeo-branded racers were winning titles when Ferrari’s founder (Enzo) was still in nappies.  

It’s no surprise, then, that Alfa sometimes likes to hark back to those glory days with machines like the spectacular 33 Stradale. Designed as the firm’s bittersweet goodbye to gasoline, the limited-edition supercar boasts a modified version of the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s Ferrari-derived V6 engine. That means its viciously powerful, as well as achingly beautiful… Still, can it match a Blimp for sheer wow factor? 

Flyby location: Kentucky, USA 
Car brand: Corvette   

While the Blimp’s now done its fair share of European tours, its spiritual home will always be over the pond. Afterall, Pilgrim started a tradition that saw Blimps become “woven into the fabric of America through countless cultural moments and historic events”, according to Goodyear. 

And, when it comes to all-American heroes, Chevrolet’s Corvette is surely the airship’s four-wheeled equivalent. Perhaps that’s why the Blimp has made several pilgrimages to home of Corvette: Kentucky. 

Just like Goodyear’s helium-filled behemoth, the ‘Vette has evolved considerably since its inception in the early 20th century. The latest and greatest model (the new C8 ZR1) now touts an obscene 1,064 bhp and 828 lb-ft of torque – so it’s a bonafide supercar, despite what some purists might argue. But would you rather experience that explosive firepower, or live your high-flying dreams aboard the Blimp? 

Flyby location: Surrey, England 
Car brand: McLaren

From the land of fried chicken and bluegrass to the quaint, picturesque Surrey countryside. Quite the juxtaposition, but Goodyear’s Blimp did make a short flight over the sleepy English county back on its 2022 British expedition. 

While Surrey might seem like an unlikely location to include in a countdown of epic Blimp voyages, it is significant for one key reason: it’s where McLaren’s headquarters are based. More specifically, the town of Woking is home to McLaren’s vast 500,000 m2 technology centre — where some of the planet’s most exclusive exotica is designed, developed, and manufactured.  

But, if we had to pick a favourite model for a thorough test drive, the blistering new 750S would be top of our list. Engineered to go toe-to-toe with Ferrari’s 296 GTB and Lamborghini’s Temerario, the 740-bhp 750S is one of the quickest and most engaging machines money can buy. Would you take the chance to take that turbocharged V8 through the gears, or tower above Surrey’s rolling hills in Goodyear’s airship? 

Flyby location: Stuttgart, Germany 
Car brand: Porsche  

But, when it comes to epic performance cars, few nations have had quite as many smash hits as Germany. From Cologne to Munich, Goodyear’s Blimp has passed over the birthplace of BMW, Ford’s venerable V6 Capri powerplant and, of course, Porsche.  

Having first toured over the Porsche’s Stuttgart base back in the early 1990s, the Blimp made a return trip in June of 2021. On its first German outing, the airship’s pilots could have witnessed the legendary, Group B-inspired 959 sitting outside Porsche’s gates. In the intervening two decades, though, Porsche has managed create a machine that makes the old 959 look pedestrian: the 1,500-bhp, all-electric Mission X.  

Ready to smash Nürburgring records with its insane 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, the sci-fi-esque Mission X sits at the bleeding edge of hypercar technology. Oh, and it’ll rocket to 60 mph from rest in an astonishing two seconds flat. So it’s faster than Goodyear’s airship, but which will give you better bragging rights down the pub? You decide. 

So there you have it, our five favourite motoring-themed Blimp flybys. But fear not, if we’ve piqued your interest in dirigibles and you want more, why not keep tabs on Goodyear’s blimp this summer as it makes its centenary tour of 100 cities across North America and Europe? 

Hero image credit: Goodyear