Bentley Motors is known for making responsive and powerful Grand Tourers

with the stamina to cross continents at pace, and drive in refined comfort and

style.

A Bentley is unmistakable – all it takes is a glance at the twin headlights, the

Winged “B” logo, matrix grille or the high waistline to know one. The paradox of

the car is that although it is instantly recognisable, it takes time and effort to

hand-build each one. That’s the assured Bentley hallmark.

Bentleys have the genes for endurance and stamina built into them due to their

participation in the Le Mans, as well as have the power in the engines to leave the

competition behind.

This combination is lethal... and addictive!!!

Let us see what the history behind the Bentleys, their cars, and what they stand

for today.

History

Bentley motors was founded by W.O. Bentley on 18th January, 1919 when the first

Bentley engine burst into life at New Street Mews, London.

Before World War I, W.O. Bentley had been in partnership with his brother H.M.

Bentley selling French DFP cars, but he had always wanted to design and build a

range of cars bearing his name. In August 1919, Bentley Motors Ltd. was

registered, and a chassis with dummy engine was exhibited at the London Motor

Show in October of that year. An engine was built and running by December;

however, development took longer than estimated, and the first cars were not

ready until September 1921.

During the 1920’s, Bentley went from strength to strength. Racing triumphs

proved reliability, speed and incredible performance. Sales soared.

It was on a visit to the DFP factory in 1913 that W.O. noticed an aluminium

paperweight, and had the inspired idea of using the lightweight metal instead of

cast iron to make engine pistons. The first Bentley aluminium pistons went into

service in aero engines in service during the Great War.

The Bentley boys

The company was always underfunded, but a group of wealthy British motorists

known as the "Bentley Boys" (Woolf Barnato, Sir Henry Birkin, steeplechaser

George Duller, aviator Glen Kidston, automotive journalist S.C.H. "Sammy" Davis,

and Dr. Dudley Benjafield among them) kept the marque's reputation for high

performance alive., The Great Depression destroyed demand for the company's

expensive products, and it was finally sold to Rolls-Royce in 1931.

The Rolls Royce Era (1931- 98):

Under Rolls Royce, the cars got more sophisticated, but lost most of its Bentley

styling and charm.

1954 R-Type Bentley

Continental 1935 Bentley 3 ½ litre

Cabriolet

1963 Bentley S3 Continental

Bentley rejuvenated:

It was not until the 1980s that under new management from Vickers, the cars got

back their Bentley edge. Their flagship model, the Bentley Mulsanne, was

launched in 1980, and still today is the most known Bentley around.

In 1998, Bentley was taken over by Volkswagen, and is now a member of the

Volkswagen group.

1980 Bentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne today

Bentley- The Brand

Bentley not have been expressed more eloquently than in the words of W.O.

Bentley himself, “To build a good car, a fast car, the best in class”.

There are many unmistakable characteristics that define a Bentley – handcrafted

luxury, distinctive design, breathtaking power and performance, a refined and

exhilarating driving experience. Yet it is the combination of these characteristics

that makes this brand so unique.

The six-time success at Le Mans has made Bentley more than a car - it has come

to stand for a way of doing things: with spirit, flair, courage, instinctive

intelligence and teamwork. Endurance racing has always been a way for them to

test, strengthen and improve the cars.

The dedication and determination that they bring to building their cars intensifies

the unique experience every Bentley driver takes, from ultimate relaxation to

ultimate exhilaration. The task of a Bentley may be to take customers from A to B.

But it’s how it gets them there that demonstrates everything about the marque.

More than any other trait, power is the defining characteristic at the heart of their

brand. In a Bentley, it’s that distinctive surge, like a giant hand pushing you

towards the horizon. In the way they do business, it’s total self-confidence –

delivered with a very British sense of understatement. The Bentley way is to make

things appear as effortless as possible.

A hand-built car using the finest quality natural materials takes time. Yet, while

others may do things ‘meticulously’ or ‘painstakingly’, Bentley has always been

about passion. In fact, their entire reputation rests on the experienced skills and

passion of our people, handed down through generations. Many of their people

say that they work on each Bentley as if it were going to be their car. They want

to get it right. That’s what makes a Bentley truly cherishable..