Bentley Convertible, 2009 |
CAR REVIEW | Bentley | Bentley, with legal company name Bentley Motors Limited is a British automobiles manufacturer. Bentley Motors Limited was founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O", when the first Bentley engine burst into life at new street mews, London.
Bentley Continental T, 1999 |
Bentley Motors had been previously known for their range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later versions of the Sopwith Camel. After the war W. O. Bentley designed and made production cars that won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1924 and following models which repeated those successes each June 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.
Bentley Corniche, 1980 |
From these modest beginnings, Bentley ’s company went from strength to strength through the 1920s, with an evolving series of acclaimed motor cars and a parade of racing triumphs to prove their outstanding performance. These laurels were capped with five outright victories at Le Mans between 1924 - 1930 and a sixth in 2003.
Bentley Continental Flying Spur, 1965 |
When production was moved from London to Derby and later to Crewe, Bentley was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1931, the company has been owned by the Volkswagen Group of Germany since 1998. The business is still based in Crewe, Cheshire, England with their Central Production Facilities there.
Bentley Mark VI, 1950 |
Before the First World War, W.O. Bentley had been in partnership with his brother HM Bentley selling French DFP cars, but he had always wanted to design and build its own line of cars bearing his name. In August 1919, Bentley Motors Ltd. was registered, and a simulated engine chassis was unveiled at the London Motor Show in October 1919. The engine was built and operational in December, and orders taken for delivery in June 1920, but development took longer than expected, and the first cars were not ready until September 1921. Durability won acclaim. Appearances were made in hill climbs and Brooklands and a single entry into the race at Indianapolis, 1922 500 Mile Run by W. Douglas Hawkes completed at an average speed over 80 mph.
Bentley, 1930 |
Bentley Motors Limited ("Bentley") is a company registered in England and Wales (VAT 279230739). Bentley Motors manufacture handcrafted motor cars in Crewe, England and have a rich heritage of 90 years as a pinnacle, British automotive marque. Bentley Motors, which located in Crewe, England since 1946 and owned since 1998 by Volkswagen AG, is dedicated to making responsive and powerful Grand Tourers with the stamina to cross continents at pace, and drive in refined comfort and style. - Car Review