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Bentley's Innocent Moves from Rugged Reliability to Sophisticated Luxury Cars
Bentley Motors was registered in England in 1919, founded by Walter Owen Bentley. But, do you know how it all happened? Bentley created cars that are now legends and are still considered as prized and treasured possessions. Read on and you'll know more interesting and amazing information on the history, origin and background of these luxury cars.
Unlike children today who dream of becoming doctors and engineers, Walter Owen Bentley dreamt something different. He always dreamt of designing and building a range of cars bearing his own name. Bentley's brother H.M. Bentley sold DFP (Doriot, Flandrin & Parant) cars prior to World War I and Bentley joined his brother. DFP was a French car based in a place called Courbevoie. However, Bentley wanted his own range of cars.
On a bright day in 1913, Bentley paid a visit to the DFP factory and the aluminium paperweights used there caught his eye. 'How about engine pistons made of lightweight metal instead of cast iron?' was what struck Bentley's mind immediately.
The two brothers then bought Lecoq and Fernie, a French auto company and renamed it Bentley and Bentley, with its headquarters in Mayfair. In August 1919, they renamed it yet another time as 'Bentley Motors' and a chassis with a dummy engine was exhibited at the 1919 London Motor Show in October. It was a huge success and a running engine was built in December. Orders started rushing in by June 1920. However, the first cars took a long time to get ready from what had been estimated. The first Bentley was ready only by September 1921.
The company started off well, but unfortunately ran short of funds. The financial situation forced Bentley to approach millionaire Woolf Barnato for help in 1925. Barnato in turn became the owner and chairman of the company. The Bentley Boys consisted of a group of wealthy British motorists including Woolf Barnato, Sir Henry Birkin, steeplechaser George Duller, aviator Glen Kidston, automotive journalist S.C.H. "Sammy" Davis and Dr. Dudley Benjafield. They worked real hard. The group brought in high dedication and commitment to keep up the marque's reputation for high performance alive. Bugatti was Bentley's greatest competitor at that time. Bugatti was known for its lightweight, elegant, but fragile creations while Bentley produced cars known for their rugged reliability and durability. Bugatti thus teased Bentley as being the creator of the "the world's fastest lorries". The initial Bentley was a 3-litre model, but was later upgraded to 41/2 litre. However, the 41/2-litre Blower Bentley with its distinctive supercharger projecting forward from the bottom of the grille became the most popular model of the period. But, the 'Great Depression' considered as the largest economic downturn of the 20th century began on 29 October 1929, most commonly known as Black Tuesday.
With the Black Tuesday, Bentley's bad days had just begun when its expensive cars started losing demand. It looked like Bentley would be destroyed completely.In due course, the company had to be sold and it ultimately went into the hands of Rolls-Royce in 1931.
Unlike children today who dream of becoming doctors and engineers, Walter Owen Bentley dreamt something different. He always dreamt of designing and building a range of cars bearing his own name. Bentley's brother H.M. Bentley sold DFP (Doriot, Flandrin & Parant) cars prior to World War I and Bentley joined his brother. DFP was a French car based in a place called Courbevoie. However, Bentley wanted his own range of cars.
On a bright day in 1913, Bentley paid a visit to the DFP factory and the aluminium paperweights used there caught his eye. 'How about engine pistons made of lightweight metal instead of cast iron?' was what struck Bentley's mind immediately.
The two brothers then bought Lecoq and Fernie, a French auto company and renamed it Bentley and Bentley, with its headquarters in Mayfair. In August 1919, they renamed it yet another time as 'Bentley Motors' and a chassis with a dummy engine was exhibited at the 1919 London Motor Show in October. It was a huge success and a running engine was built in December. Orders started rushing in by June 1920. However, the first cars took a long time to get ready from what had been estimated. The first Bentley was ready only by September 1921.
The company started off well, but unfortunately ran short of funds. The financial situation forced Bentley to approach millionaire Woolf Barnato for help in 1925. Barnato in turn became the owner and chairman of the company. The Bentley Boys consisted of a group of wealthy British motorists including Woolf Barnato, Sir Henry Birkin, steeplechaser George Duller, aviator Glen Kidston, automotive journalist S.C.H. "Sammy" Davis and Dr. Dudley Benjafield. They worked real hard. The group brought in high dedication and commitment to keep up the marque's reputation for high performance alive. Bugatti was Bentley's greatest competitor at that time. Bugatti was known for its lightweight, elegant, but fragile creations while Bentley produced cars known for their rugged reliability and durability. Bugatti thus teased Bentley as being the creator of the "the world's fastest lorries". The initial Bentley was a 3-litre model, but was later upgraded to 41/2 litre. However, the 41/2-litre Blower Bentley with its distinctive supercharger projecting forward from the bottom of the grille became the most popular model of the period. But, the 'Great Depression' considered as the largest economic downturn of the 20th century began on 29 October 1929, most commonly known as Black Tuesday.
With the Black Tuesday, Bentley's bad days had just begun when its expensive cars started losing demand. It looked like Bentley would be destroyed completely.In due course, the company had to be sold and it ultimately went into the hands of Rolls-Royce in 1931.
Surprisingly, Rolls-Royce got its hands on Bentley secretly so much so that the true identity of the purchaser was only disclosed after the sale. Rolls-Royce set up a new company named as Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd.
W.O. Bentley was unhappy with his new subordinate role and left to join Lagonda in 1935. Hence, the manufacturing company at London was closed and sold. Production work moved to Rolls-Royce in Derby. In 1933, a new Bentley 31/2-litre was launched which was a sporting variant of the Rolls-Royce 20/25. The traditional customers were a little unhappy, but it was well-received by many others. Post World War II, production of Bentley and Roll-Royce cars moved to an engine factory in Crewe, Cheshire.
Sales drastically fell in the 1970s to an extent of less than 5 per cent of combined production at one point. Rolls-Royce's parent company weakened and there were problems with aero engine development. Hence, the motorcar division moved away. It became independent only to be bought by Vickers in August 1980. This gave back Bentley its name, fame and the high-performance heritage.
Bentley's sporting image created a transformation. Prospective buyers grew interested in the brand and sales surged. The ratio of Rolls-Royce and Bentley reached 60:40 in 1986 and by 1991, Bentley achieved parity. In 1998, there was a bidding war between BMW and Volkswagen Group to purchase the popular Rolls-Royce and Bentley brands from Vickers. Volkswagen won.
In 2002, Bentley presented an official State Limousine to Queen Elizabeth to mark the Golden Jubilee. In 2003, after ceasing the production of two-door convertible, the Bentley Azure, the company introduced a second line, Bentley Continental GT, a large luxury coupe. It was in 2003 that the demand for Bentley cars grew. It grew to an extent where the company was unable to meet with its installed capacity of approximately 9500 units a year. Those who booked the cars had to wait for more than a year.
In April 2005 Bentley confirmed its plans of producing a four-seat convertible, the Azure and the convertible version of the continental GT. Both models were successfully launched in late 2006. After that, there was no stop, and the car maker has been continually producing high-performance luxury cars.
If the Everest comes to mind while thinking of mountains, Bentley comes to mind while thinking of luxury cars. The brand Bentley is a towering level of refinement and prestige amongst the luxury class. Bentley has combined the old-world craftsmanship with new-world technology to bring out a fusion called Bentley marque.
Bentley's coupes and sedans are mostly hand-assembled in Great Britain, at the manufacturer's state-of-the-art Crewe factory. In India, we have the Continental Flying Spur, Continental GT, Continental GTC, Bentley Mulsanne and the Bentley Continental Supersports. With these expensive luxury cars finding buyers in the country, we can rest assured that many more models are yet to come.
W.O. Bentley was unhappy with his new subordinate role and left to join Lagonda in 1935. Hence, the manufacturing company at London was closed and sold. Production work moved to Rolls-Royce in Derby. In 1933, a new Bentley 31/2-litre was launched which was a sporting variant of the Rolls-Royce 20/25. The traditional customers were a little unhappy, but it was well-received by many others. Post World War II, production of Bentley and Roll-Royce cars moved to an engine factory in Crewe, Cheshire.
Sales drastically fell in the 1970s to an extent of less than 5 per cent of combined production at one point. Rolls-Royce's parent company weakened and there were problems with aero engine development. Hence, the motorcar division moved away. It became independent only to be bought by Vickers in August 1980. This gave back Bentley its name, fame and the high-performance heritage.
Bentley's sporting image created a transformation. Prospective buyers grew interested in the brand and sales surged. The ratio of Rolls-Royce and Bentley reached 60:40 in 1986 and by 1991, Bentley achieved parity. In 1998, there was a bidding war between BMW and Volkswagen Group to purchase the popular Rolls-Royce and Bentley brands from Vickers. Volkswagen won.
In 2002, Bentley presented an official State Limousine to Queen Elizabeth to mark the Golden Jubilee. In 2003, after ceasing the production of two-door convertible, the Bentley Azure, the company introduced a second line, Bentley Continental GT, a large luxury coupe. It was in 2003 that the demand for Bentley cars grew. It grew to an extent where the company was unable to meet with its installed capacity of approximately 9500 units a year. Those who booked the cars had to wait for more than a year.
In April 2005 Bentley confirmed its plans of producing a four-seat convertible, the Azure and the convertible version of the continental GT. Both models were successfully launched in late 2006. After that, there was no stop, and the car maker has been continually producing high-performance luxury cars.
If the Everest comes to mind while thinking of mountains, Bentley comes to mind while thinking of luxury cars. The brand Bentley is a towering level of refinement and prestige amongst the luxury class. Bentley has combined the old-world craftsmanship with new-world technology to bring out a fusion called Bentley marque.
Bentley's coupes and sedans are mostly hand-assembled in Great Britain, at the manufacturer's state-of-the-art Crewe factory. In India, we have the Continental Flying Spur, Continental GT, Continental GTC, Bentley Mulsanne and the Bentley Continental Supersports. With these expensive luxury cars finding buyers in the country, we can rest assured that many more models are yet to come.
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