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Bentley Cars

Enjoying a well-earned, long prestigious history, Bentley Motors marks its ninetieth anniversary in 2009. Built upon creating the best in high performance cars, Bentley vehicles must be elegant, stylish and fast. The company boasts its authentic British heritage knowing that this upper-brow attitude has made it a definitive leader in luxury automobiles. What separates Bentley from other brands is its attention to detail with handcrafted designs, effortless power, and subtle refinement. And while any car's purpose is to move someone from one point to another, Bentley makes that experience memorable and exciting.

Founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley, the original Bentley was a three-litre engine minus the car. Obsessed with speed and power, W.O. yearned to build a vehicle that would satisfy his craving while at the same time was a true gentleman's car. Even the winged B logo signifies both speed and elegance, features which are earmarks of the man and the company. After completing the engine, which at the time was so advanced compared to other car motors, specifically because of the lightweight aluminum pistons, Bentley went about designing and creating a chassis that was equally as lightweight in order to maximize the power of the engine. In fact, the company did not manufacture a complete car until 1946 when owned by Rolls-Royce. Up until then, they produced only the engine and the chassis.

While Bentley motors and chassis had been very popular and well known for their speed and ultimate capability of winning races, it was becoming fashionable to own a car with luxurious lines. But luxury meant heavier coaches and thus, the three-litre engine would not be powerful enough. Consequently, in 1925, W.O. designed the six-and-a-half-litre engine which lead to the famous Speed Six Racer. And success continued up until 1929 when Black Thursday hit.

As 1930 moves in, there are two British car companies that excel above all others and compete for the world's attention. Bentley Motors and Rolls-Royce. But the depression deals a final blow to the already financially troubled Bentley at which point Rolls buys out the company in 1931, and moves the operations to Derby. W.O. stays with the company going to work for Rolls-Royce and produces what he feels to be the best car to bear his name. It is called “The Silent Sports Car” and was a combination of both Bentley and Rolls. Indeed, the car was an innovation of its time carrying the “best attributes of both brands – agility with luxury, power with silence”.

Refinements continued throughout the years, and in 1946, the first car to be built entirely by a Bentley facility was the Bentley Mark VI. In addition, the car was the first to have a pressed steel body-shell and eventually became one of the best sellers of Bentley. By 1950 and right up until 1959, the lines began to blur as the cars looked more like Rolls-Royces. In fact, the only one that remained a true Bentley was the Continental. Several times, Rolls debated ceasing production of the Bentley altogether.

But the company inched along, trying to reinvent the Bentley and reap the benefits of its once powerful and prestigious name. And it was successful in making a comeback. But by the 1990s, more impetus was needed and Volkswagen AG acquired Bentley in 1998, bringing more resources, technological know-how, and new spirit to the brand.

Interesting milestones for the Bentley are:
• 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 2003 - Won Le Mans
• 1982 - Bentley Mulsanne Turbo is most popular car at the Geneva Motor Show because of its 135mph speed, faster then the Daimler Double Six, the Aston Martin Lagonda, and Ferrari’s 365GT4
• 1995 - Bentley Azure debuted in Geneva as the most powerful four-seater convertible in the world
• 2002 - Commissioned for The Queen's limousine for her Golden Jubilee

Models and years they were introduced:
• 1920 EXP1 - hand-built prototype
• 1925 bigger 6.5-litre launched
• 1939 Mark V
• 1946 Bentley Mark VI
• 1952 R-Type Continental
• 1955 Bentley S Series
• 1965 Bentley T Series
• 1970s T2 and Bentley Corniche drophead coupé
• 1980 Bentley Mulsanne
• 1982 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo
• 1984 Bentley Eight
• 1985 Bentley Turbo R
• 1991 two-door Continental R
• 1993 four-door Bentley Brooklands
• 1994 408bhp Turbo S
• 1995 Bentley Azure
• 1997 Turbo R Series
• 1997 Arnage
• 1999 Bentley Arnage Red Label
• 2002 Bentley State Limousine, bespoke design for The Queen
• 2002 MSB, a mid-size Bentley (now called the GT Coupé)
• 2002 Bentley Speed 8
• 2002 Continental GT
• 2005 Limited Edition Bentley Arnage Limousine
• 2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
• 2005 Bentley Arnage Drophead Coupé
• 2006 Continental GTC

In conclusion, Bentley Motors is a large, global organization employing approximately four thousand people, keeping regional offices in ten different countries, and is represented by two-hundred and twelve Bentley facilities including worldwide dealerships, and parts and service centers.