Walter Owen Bentley

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Walter Owen Bentley , MBE , (born September 16, 1888 in London , † August 3, 1971 ) was a British racing driver and entrepreneur. He was the founder of the Bentley car brand .

Life

Walter Owen Bentley was a trained mechanical engineer and automobile designer. He completed his training a. a. at the Great Northern Railway (mechanical engineer). His first position as an entrepreneur was Bentley & Bentley , a company specializing in the import and trading of DFP automobiles, which he founded in 1912 with his brother Henry Bentley . After serving as a pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War I , Walter Owen Bentley was supported with a loan from the Royal Naval Air Service to start producing his own automobiles, especially sports cars. He was able to present his first vehicle at the 1919 London Motor Show, and Bentley Motors Ltd. was founded. The first series vehicle followed in 1921 under the name Experimental Engine No.1 . Bentley himself was an avid racing driver and successfully participated in numerous races with his own designs. Due to very high construction costs, the cost of participating in races and poor sales figures in the wake of the global economic crisis , the company was in a financially difficult position despite sporting successes. After investors in Bentley Motors Ltd. withdrew, had to file for bankruptcy. In 1931 the competitor Rolls-Royce acquired the company including all rights and the production plants. Walter Owen Bentley could never cope with the loss of his life's work to a competitor, but had to work for the Rolls-Royce company until 1935 due to an agreement in the sales contracts. After his departure, he worked for the manufacturers Lagonda and Aston Martin . His last job before retirement was as a designer at the car manufacturer Armstrong Siddeley .

Walter Owen Bentley, who was called WO Bentley or just WO for short , was married three times. In 1995 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame .

literature

  • Walter Owen Bentley: My Life and My Cars . 1969
  • Malcolm Bobbitt: Bentley: The Man behind the Marque . 2003

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Bentley, Walter Owen
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British racing driver and entrepreneur
DATE OF BIRTH September 16, 1888
PLACE OF BIRTH London
DATE OF DEATH 3rd August 1971