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Bentley

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	Topics Bentley Topic Home Bentley as a separate company (1919-1931) Before World War I W.O. Bentley had been in partnership with his brother H.M. Bentley selling French D.F.P. cars but he had always wanted to design and build his own range of cars bearing his own name. In August 1919 Bentley Motors Ltd was registered and a chassis, with dummy engine, was exhibited at the London Motor Show in October that year. . An engine was built and running by December and orders taken for deliveries starting in June 1920. However, development took longer than estimated and the first cars were not ready until September 1921. The company was always underfunded and Bentley turned to millionaire Woolf BarnatoWoolf Barnato Woolf Barnato was a British financier and racing driver, one of the "Bentley Boys" of the 1920s.... for help in 1925. As part of a re-financing deal, leaving him effectively owning the company, Barnato became chairman. A great deal of Barnato's fortune was devoted to keeping Bentley afloat but the Great DepressionGreat Depression The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn which started in 1929 and lasting through most of the 1930s.... destroyed demand for the company's expensive products, and it was finally sold to Rolls-RoyceRolls-Royce Limited Rolls-Royce Limited was a British car and aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Henry Royce and C.S.... in 1931. The Bentley Boys A group of wealthy British automobile aficionados known as the "Bentley BoysBentley Boys The Bentley Boys were a group of gentlemen racers who drove Bentley sports cars to victory in the 1920s.... " (Woolf Barnato, Sir Henry BirkinHenry Birkin Summary Sir Henry Ralph Stanley "Tim" Birkin, 3rd Baronet was a British racing driver, one of the "Bentley Boys" of the 1920s. ... , steeplechaserSteeplechase (horse racing) Overview The steeplechase is a form of horse racing and derives its name from early races in which orientation of the course was by r... George Duller, aviatorAviator An aviator is a person who flies aircraft for pleasure or as a profession.... Glen KidstonGlen Kidston George Pearson Glen Kidston was a record-breaking aviator and motor racing driver from Britain.... , automotive journalist S. C. H. "Sammy" Davis, and Dr. Dudley BenjafieldDudley Benjafield Joseph Dudley Benjafield, MD was born on August 6, 1887, in Edmonton UK.... among them) kept the car's reputation for high performance alive. At one point, on a bet, Barnato raced Le Train Bleu from CannesCannes Cannes is a city and commune in southern France, located on the Riviera, in the Alpes-Maritimes dpartement. ... to CalaisCalais Calais is a town in northern France, located at 5057N 152E.... , then by ferry to DoverDover Dover is a major channel port in the English county of Kent.... and finally LondonLondon London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom.... , travelling on public highways with normal traffic, and won ; the special-bodied 6½ Litre car became known as the Blue Train BentleyBlue Train Bentley The Blue Train Bentley refers to a Bentley Motors Company automobile, a high performance 6 1/2 litre Speed Model or Speed Si... . Thanks to the dedication of this group to serious racing, the company, located at CricklewoodCricklewood Cricklewood is a district whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, and the southwestern part is the Londo... , north LondonLondon London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom.... , was noted for its four consecutive victories at the 24 hours of Le MansFacts About 24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's most famous sports car endurance race, held annually at Circuit de la Sarthe near... from 1927 to 1930. Their greatest competitor at the time, BugattiBugatti Bugatti is one of the most celebrated marques of automobile and one of the most exclusive French car producers of all time.... , whose lightweight, elegant, but fragile creations contrasted with the Bentley's rugged reliability and durability, referred to them as "the world's fastest lorries". Car models The original model was the 3 litre, but as customers put heavier bodies on the chassis a larger 4½ litre model followed. Perhaps the most iconic model of the period is the 4½ Litre "Blower Bentley", with its distinctive superchargerSupercharger A supercharger is an air compressor used to force more air into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine than... projecting forward from the bottom of the grille. Uncharacteristically fragile for a Bentley, it was not the racing workhorse, the 6½ Litre was. It became famous in popular media as the vehicle of James BondJames Bond James Bond, also known as 007 , is a fictional British spy created by writer Ian Fleming in 1952.... in the original novels, but not in film; however John SteedJohn Steed John Steed is a fictional character, played by Patrick Macnee, on the British series The Avengers and The New Avengers.... in the television series The AvengersFacts About The Avengers (TV series) *The Avengers* is a British 1960s television series featuring secret agents in a fantasy 1960s Britain.... did drive a Bentley. 1921-1929 3 LitreBentley 3 Litre The 3 Litre was the sports car that put Bentley on the automotive map.... 1926-1930 4½ Litre & "Blower Bentley" 1926-1930 6½ LitreBentley Speed Six Desiring more power, Walter Owen Bentley added two cylinders to the straight-4 engine used in his 4½ Litre car, creating the 6½ Li... 1928-1930 6½ Litre Speed SixBentley Speed Six Desiring more power, Walter Owen Bentley added two cylinders to the straight-4 engine used in his 4½ Litre car, creating the 6½ Li... 1930-1931 8 LitreBentley 8 Litre The 8 Litre was the largest and most luxurious Bentley luxury car made prior to the purchase of the marque by Rolls-Royce.... 1931 4 LitreBentley 4 Litre The 4 Litre was an attempt at restoring the Bentley company to a good financial state.... Bentleys of the Rolls-Royce era (1931-1998) Rolls-Royce had bought Bentley secretly using a company named the British Central Equitable Trust and not even Bentley himself knew the true identity of the purchaser until the deal was completed. A new company, wholly owned by Rolls-Royce, was formed called Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd with W.O. Bentley himself little more than an employee and he left to join LagondaLagonda Lagonda, the British car maker, was founded in 1906 in Staines, Middlesex by the American Wilbur Gunn.... in 1935 when his contract was up for renewal. The Cricklewood factory was closed and sold and production moved to the Rolls-Royce works in Derby. When a new Bentley car appeared in 1933, the 3½ Litre, it was a sporting variant of the Rolls-Royce 20/25Rolls-Royce 20/25 Overview The Rolls-Royce 20/25 built between 1929 and 1936 succeeded the 20HP as Rolls-Royce's "small car".... and although disappointing some traditional customers, it was well received by many others and even Bentley himself was reported as saying "Taking all things into consideration, I would rather own this Bentley than any other car produced under that name." After World War II, production of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars was moved to an ex-wartime engine factory in CreweFacts About Crewe Crewe is a town in south Cheshire, in the north west of England.... , Cheshire. Bentleys became increasingly a Rolls-Royce without the distinctive grille and with a lower price tag and by the 1970s and early 1980s sales had fallen badly with at one time less than 5% of production carrying the Bentley badge. The parent company failed in 1970 following problems with aero engine development and the car division was floated off to become Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd and remained independent until bought by Vickers in August 1980. In the 1980s Bentley became a separate, high performance car line once again typified by the 1980 MulsanneBentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne was a performance luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1980 through 1992, though derivati... . The new sporting image created a new interest in the name and sales as a proportion of output started to rise. In 1986 the Rolls-Royce:Bentley ratio was 60:40 and in 1991 50:50 . The Bentley factory in Crewe, Cheshire, is still known in the town by the name "Royce's". For more on Bentley Motors from 1931 to 1998, see Rolls-RoyceRolls-Royce Limited Overview Rolls-Royce Limited was a British car and aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Henry Royce and C.S.... and Rolls-Royce MotorsRolls-Royce Motors Summary Rolls-Royce Motors was created from the demerger of the Rolls-Royce car business from Rolls-Royce Limited in 1973.... . Car models 1933–1937 3½ LitreBentley 3.5 Litre The 3½ Litre was the first Bentley to be developed by new owner Rolls-Royce.... 1936–1939 4¼ LitreBentley 3.5 Litre The 3½ Litre was the first Bentley to be developed by new owner Rolls-Royce.... 1939–1941 Mark VBentley Mark V The Mark V was Rolls-Royce's second Bentley model.... 1939 Mark VBentley Mark V The Mark V was Rolls-Royce's second Bentley model.... 1946–1952 Mark VIFacts About Bentley Mark VI The Mark VI was the first post-war luxury car from Bentley.... 1952–1955 R TypeBentley R Type The R Type was the second series of post-war Bentley automobile, replacing the Mark VI.... and Continental 1955–1959 S1Bentley S1 Overview The Bentley S1 was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1955 through 1959.... and Continental 1959–1962 S2Bentley S2 Summary The Bentley S2 was a luxury car produced by Bentley from 1959 through 1962.... and Continental 1962–1965 S3Bentley S3 The Bentley S3 was a luxury car produced by Bentley from 1962 through 1965.... and Continental 1965–1980 T-seriesBentley T-series The Bentley T-Series was even more rarely built than the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.... 1965–1977 T1Bentley T-series The Bentley T-Series was even more rarely built than the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.... 1977–1980 T2Bentley T-series The Bentley T-Series was even more rarely built than the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.... 1971–1984 CornicheRolls-Royce Corniche For the fifth-generation Corniche, see: Rolls-Royce Corniche... 1984–1995 ContinentalRolls-Royce Corniche For the fifth-generation Corniche, see: Rolls-Royce Corniche... — convertible 1992–1995 Continental TurboRolls-Royce Corniche For the fifth-generation Corniche, see: Rolls-Royce Corniche... 1975–1986 CamargueRolls-Royce Camargue The Rolls-Royce Camargue, considered by many automotive enthusiasts to be the most distinctive Rolls-Royce vehicle ever prod... 1980–1987 MulsanneBentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne was a performance luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1980 through 1992, though derivati... 1984–1988 Mulsanne LBentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne was a performance luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1980 through 1992, though derivati... limousine 1982–1985 Mulsanne TurboBentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne was a performance luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1980 through 1992, though derivati... 1987–1992 Mulsanne SBentley Mulsanne The Bentley Mulsanne was a performance luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited from 1980 through 1992, though derivati... 1984–1992 EightBentley Eight The Eight was Bentley's "entry-level" offering from 1984 through 1992.... — lower-priced model 1985–1995 Turbo RBentley Turbo R The Bentley Turbo R was a high-performance model produced by Bentley Motors Limited.... — turbochargedTurbocharger A turbocharger is an exhaust gas-driven compressor used to increase the power output of an internal-combustion engine by com... performance version 1991–2002 Continental RBentley Continental R The Bentley Continental R was a large, expensive, luxury coup made by Rolls-Royce from 1991 to 2002.... — turbocharged 2-door model 1999–2003 Continental R MullinerBentley Continental R The Bentley Continental R was a large, expensive, luxury coup made by Rolls-Royce from 1991 to 2002.... — performance model 1994–1995 Continental S — intercooled 1992–1998 BrooklandsBentley Brooklands The Bentley Brooklands was a full-size luxury sedan introduced for 1992 as the marque's new flagship after the Bentley Mulsa... — improved Eight 1996–1998 Brooklands RBentley Brooklands The Bentley Brooklands was a full-size luxury sedan introduced for 1992 as the marque's new flagship after the Bentley Mulsa... — performance Brooklands 1994–1995 Turbo SBentley Turbo R The Bentley Turbo R was a high-performance model produced by Bentley Motors Limited.... — limited-edition sports model 1995–1997 Turbo RBentley Turbo R The Bentley Turbo R was a high-performance model produced by Bentley Motors Limited.... — updated Turbo R 1996 Turbo R SportBentley Turbo R The Bentley Turbo R was a high-performance model produced by Bentley Motors Limited.... — limited-edition sports model 1995–2003 AzureBentley Azure Bentley Motors Limited has produced two convertible models called Azure:... — convertible Continental R 1999–2002 Azure MullinerBentley Azure Bentley Motors Limited has produced two convertible models called Azure:... — performance model 1996–2002 Continental T — short wheelbase performance model 1999 Continental T Mulliner — firmer suspension 1997–1998 Bentley Turbo RTBentley Turbo RT The Bentley Turbo RT, powered by a 6.8 L V8 engine with an output of 400 hp, was produced from 1997 to 1998.... — replacement for the Turbo R Volkswagen Group ownership In 1998, Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors were purchased from VickersVickers Summary Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 2004.... (its owner since 1980) by Volkswagen GroupVolkswagen Group Volkswagen Group is a German automobile manufacturer and one of the largest automotive companies worldwide.... for £430 million, after bidding against BMWBMW BMW AG , is an independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.... . BMW had recently started supplying components for the new range of cars, notably V8V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... engines for the Bentley ArnageBentley Arnage The Bentley Arnage is a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England.... and V12V12 engine A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders.... engines for the Rolls-Royce Silver SeraphRolls-Royce Silver Seraph The Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, produced from 1998 to 2002, was first unveiled on March 3, 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show.... . The Rolls-Royce name was not included in VW's purchase; it was instead licensed to BMW (for £40 million) by the Rolls-Royce aero engine company. BMW and Volkswagen came to an agreement whereby Volkswagen would manufacture both Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars until the end of 2002, whereupon the right to build Rolls-Royce cars would be BMW's alone. During this period, Volkswagen reduced its reliance on BMW as a supplier: as of 2003, BMW engines are no longer used in Bentley cars. Modern Bentleys In 2002, Bentley presented Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II of the United Kingdom }\|-\|\|}Elizabeth II is the Queen of 16 independent sovereign states known as the Commonwealth Realms.... with an official State LimousineBentley State Limousine The Bentley State Limousine is a car created by Bentley for Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the occasion of her golden... to celebrate the Golden JubileeGolden Jubilee A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary of a monarch's reign.... . In 2003, Bentley's 2-door convertible, the Bentley AzureBentley Azure Bentley Motors Limited has produced two convertible models called Azure:... , ceased production, and the company introduced the Bentley Continental GTBentley Continental GT Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer coup with two doors and a 2+2 seating arrangement released in 2003, replacing the p... , a large luxury coupe. The car is powered by a version of VW's W-12 engine. Demand had been so great that the factory at Crewe, Cheshire, was unable to meet orders despite an installed capacity of approximately 9500 vehicles per year. There was a waiting list of over a year for new cars to be delivered. Consequently, production of the new Flying SpurBentley Continental Flying Spur (2005) The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a four-door version of the Bentley Continental GT produced from 2005.... , a four-door version of the Continental GT, was assigned to the Transparent FactoryTransparent Factory Transparent Factory is the English name of an automobile production plant owned by German carmaker Volkswagen and opened in ... , where the VW Phaeton luxury car is also assembled. This arrangement ceased at the end of 2006, and all car production reverted to the Crewe plant. In April 2005, Bentley confirmed plans to produce a 4-seat convertible model, the AzureBentley Azure Bentley Motors Limited has produced two convertible models called Azure:... , derived from the Arnage Drophead CoupeBentley Arnage The Bentley Arnage is a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England.... prototype, at Crewe beginning in 2006. By the autumn of 2005, the convertible version of the successful Continental GT, the Continental GTCBentley Continental Bentley has used the Continental name on a number of automobiles since 1952.... was also presented. These two models were successfully launched in late 2006. Bentley sales continued to increase and in 2005 were 8,627 sold worldwide, 3,654 of which were sold in the United States. In 2007, with sales of 10,014, the 10,000 cars per year threshold was broken for the first time in the company's history. For 2007 a record profit of €155 million was also announced. 1998– ArnageBentley Arnage The Bentley Arnage is a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England.... saloonSedan A sedan car, American English terminology, is one of the most common body styles of the modern automobile.... 1999– Hunaudieres ConceptBentley Hunaudières The Bentley Hunaudi?res is a concept car built by Bentley for the 1999 Geneva Salon International de l'Auto.... 2002– State LimousineBentley State Limousine The Bentley State Limousine is a car created by Bentley for Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the occasion of her golden... 2003– Continental GTBentley Continental GT Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer coup with two doors and a 2+2 seating arrangement released in 2003, replacing the p... coupéCoupé A coup or coupe is a car body style with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating.... 2005– Continental Flying SpurFacts About Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005) The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a four-door version of the Bentley Continental GT produced from 2005.... saloonSedan Overview A sedan car, American English terminology, is one of the most common body styles of the modern automobile.... 2006– AzureBentley Azure (2006) The Bentley Azure is a large, four-seater luxury convertible from Bentley Motors Limited.... convertibleConvertible A convertible is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof.... 2006– Continental GTBentley Continental GT Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer coup with two doors and a 2+2 seating arrangement released in 2003, replacing the p... convertibleConvertible Overview A convertible is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof.... 2008– Bentley BrooklandsBentley Brooklands The Bentley Brooklands was a full-size luxury sedan introduced for 1992 as the marque's new flagship after the Bentley Mulsa... coupéCoupé A coup or coupe is a car body style with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating.... 2008– Continental GT SpeedFacts About Bentley Continental GT Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer coup with two doors and a 2+2 seating arrangement released in 2003, replacing the p... coupéCoupé Overview A coup or coupe is a car body style with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating.... 2008– Bentley Continental Flying SpurBentley Continental Flying Spur Overview Bentley has used the Continental Flying Spur name on two automobiles since 1957.... Speed saloonSedan A sedan car, American English terminology, is one of the most common body styles of the modern automobile.... The current Board of Management consists of Dr. Franz-Josef PaefgenFranz-Josef Paefgen Dr.-Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen is a German engineer and manager.... , Chairman and Chief-Executive, Dr. Ulrich EichhornUlrich Eichhorn Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Eichhorn is an engineer and manager.... , Engineering, Stuart J. McCullough, Sales & Marketing, Douglas G. Dickson, Manufacturing, Christine A. Gaskell, Personnel and Juergen Hoffmann Finance. Current Bentley Racing In 2001-2003, the Bentley Speed 8Bentley Speed 8 Summary The Bentley EXP Speed 8 is a LMP race car that competed in the Le Mans series from 2001 to 2003, taking first place in 2003.... enjoyed a successful racing streak in the Le MansLe Mans Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River.... series. Future Cars Since the successful launch of the Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur, producing a new halo model to replace the ArnageArnage Arnage may refer to:* Bentley Arnage... has become a priority, as against the Rolls-Royce Motor CarsRolls-Royce Motor Cars Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a BMW subsidiary responsible for the manufacture of the Rolls-Royce Phantom.... and Maybach rivals the car is dated. A new Arnage would most probably be based on a chassis designed for the next generation Audi A8Audi A8 The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury car built by the German automaker Audi to replace the V8 model as its flagship offering.... , due to its versatility. The new car is expected for the 2010 model year, and is said to take styling cues from the Bentley State LimousineBentley State Limousine The Bentley State Limousine is a car created by Bentley for Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the occasion of her golden... . In 2008 and 2009 the Continental GTC and Flying Spur are widely expected to receive the changes already made to the Continental GT, with a new front splitter and chrome headlight surrounds among other changes. Since Bentley's induction into the VW Group, rumours of an SUVSport utility vehicle A sport utility vehicle, or SUV, is a type of passenger vehicle which combines the load-hauling and versatility of a p... style vehicle have repeatedly surfaced. These have been shot down by Bentley employees on the basis that the idea would not fit into their future plans and also the fact that the manufacturing facilities are already running at full capacity. Borrowing hybrid technology developed by Bentley owners VW Group is another focal point as the trend towards hybrid cars is expanding year on year. Further reading Richard Feast - Kidnap of the Flying Lady: How Germany Captured Both Rolls-Royce and Bentley (Motorbooks, 2003) ISBN 0-7603-1686-4 Andrew Frankel - Bentley - the Story (Redwood Publishing, 2005) ISBN 0-9517751-9-7 External links