The Escudería
Text and photos Bentley Anniversary: Classic Auto Madrid
Walter Owen Bentley launched himself into automobile construction at the end of World War I, founding his own brand: Bentley Motors Ltd. It presented its first chassis at the London Motor Show in 1919, although the engine took a couple more months to arrive. Designed by military engineer Clive Gallop, the 3-liter, four-valve-per-cylinder powerplant had excellent performance and rugged ruggedness. The new "Bentley 3 liter" served both to be a body as an elegant saloon and to run successfully in Brooklands, Tourist Trophy ... or Indianapolis. And it was the beginning of a long history of which Classic Auto Madrid, International Classic Vehicle Show, celebrate now his XNUMXth birthday.
WO Bentley found an excellent partner in Captain Woolf Barnato, one of his sporty and wealthy clients. Since the mid-20s, Barnato gave the brand international prominence and prestige as its new president. In addition to benefiting from the private victory of a Bentley -with Duff and Clement at the wheel- at the 24 Hours of Le Mans In 1924, he started an advertising competition program relying on the select group of sports clients, nicknamed "Bentley Boys". During the following years, Bentley would be the dominant brand in the toughest race in the world: Le Mans, with four consecutive victories in 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930. At that time the "4,5 liters" and "Speed Six" represented the luxury and sportiness of the British car.
Walter O Bentley 
Bentley boys 
Bentley blower with compressor from 1929 
Bentley 8 Liter, one of the greats
Tim birkin even developed a supercharged version with a compressor, nicknamed "Blower Bentley" much more powerful still, which became an icon of the brand. Barnato himself achieved several widely celebrated speed marks at the time, such as the race against "Le Train Bleu" which led from Cannes to Calais, arriving before him at the Channel ferry.
Bentley: From the Noise of Le Mans to the Silence of Rolls-Royce
However, the "Crisis of 1929", which gave rise to the Great Depression, led to the collapse of sales and the company in losses. was acquired by Rolls Royce in 1931 (which eliminated a competitor in the process). From then on, the Bentleys became a subsidiary brand and shared mechanics with the Rolls. The slogan chosen for them was "The silent sports car" and he never set foot on the racetracks again.
1935 Bentley Derby, little sporty 
1953 Earl Court Motor Show, with the Bentley range 
Assembly line in Crewe 
One of the Most Fascinating Bentleys in History: The Blue Train
When the Second World War arrived, Rolls Royce opened a new factory in Crewe to assemble the Merlin engines of the Spitfire aircraft, where the production of Bentley automobiles was established in 1946 -at the end of the war. A new model - the Mk VI - was the first to be offered to the public with a series body (before the frames were dressed by different bodybuilders, mainly Mulliner). From its 1952 successor, the R Type, it derived the most famous post-war model: the Continental, a stylish coupe high-performance equipment that honored the sporting prestige achieved by the brand in the 20s.
At the end of the 70s, Rolls Royce also ran into difficulties financial institutions, which were saved by nationalization and, in 1980, by the Vickers aeronautical company. The new owner of Bentley once again gave it its own identity with the Mulsanne and with the modern versions of the Continental, Brooklands and Turbo for a decade and a half more. But semi-artisan manufacturing was not profitable in the '90s and -finally- the VAG Group the English house was left after a tough fight with BMW, which absorbed Rolls Royce.
A unique Bentley, the Embiricos, bodied by Portout. 1938 
Between the 50s and 70s the Bentleys did not differ much from the Rolls 
Back in the ring in the 80s / 90s: Bentley Brookslands 
Bentley Continental, icon of the 50s
Bentley at Classic Auto Madrid
Since 2003, its new German owners streamlined production, modernized the range and greened their sporting record with a sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The headquarters of the brand would remain in England, in Crewe, although the new Bentleys were also born in other factories on the continent. Exclusivity, technology, luxury and 3st century design were applied to the modern Mulsanne, Continental GT or Bentayga, with sales multiplying in recent years. And the tradition of the "Bentley Boys" with their Gran Turismo racing team was also revived, with the Continental GTXNUMX.
Bentley, at the time of its Centennial, is a more powerful, solid and profitable brand than ever before in its history. And keeping the same philosophy that WOBentley and W. Barnato instilled in him in the 20s.
Classic Car It will celebrate this anniversary by reserving its Elegance Contest for the classic models of the British firm, with the support of the Bentley Madrid dealer. Open to all owners of Bentley models over 30 years old, it will bring together a cast of the best examples in Spain, who will compete for the trophy "Best of Show" Sunday, February 24.
Classic Auto Madrid, International Classic Vehicle Show, This year celebrates its tenth edition between February 22 and 24. Organized by the ERMEvents company, it will occupy an area of 30.000 square meters at the Casa de Campo Fair in Madrid (Palacio de Cristal and Madrid-Arena Satellite Pavilion) and receives more than 35.000 spectators each year. In this edition it will compose a "Global Motor Event" in Madrid when combined with AutoRacing, the Competition and Karting Motor Show, promoted by the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation.
