Bentley: Five facts you must know about the British automaker
Bentley, founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Touted as the pinnacle of British motoring, the company is known for making gorgeous-looking, ultra-premium cars for those who want to experience an uninhibited adrenaline rush while relishing the best of luxuries. Here, we commemorate the brand's centenary by recalling some of its history, trivia, and fun facts.
Bentley was founded in London in 1919 by WO Bentley with a simple aim "to build a good car, a fast car, the best in its class." However, amid the European recession in the early 1930s, Bentley struggled to gain traction and was purchased by compatriot rival Rolls-Royce. And in 1998, Bentley got acquired by the Volkswagen Group, its current owner.
All Bentley cars since 1946 have been made at the Pyms Lane factory in Crewe, England. And the company's 'Crewe Genuine Parts' facility, which holds over 60,000 parts, has been providing support for all cars built from 1955 till date. But not everything is made in England! At present, more than 700 businesses from 31 countries and five continents supply 18,000 parts to Crewe.
Now, let's talk about its iconic logo. The Bentley 'Winged B' logo was designed to trick forgers with the insignia having a different number of feathers on each side. Interestingly, this can be seen in the modern logo as well (Do the counting). Meanwhile, Bentley's matrix grille was created as a stone guard to protect the radiator during racing at Le Mans.
Perhaps, the most noteworthy fact about Bentley is their attention to detail. Around 24 machinists make an average of 400 pieces of leather for each car in 6 days. Each piece is then signed by the concerned machinist. Also, a wood specialist meticulously checks 25,000 square meters of veneer during selection because every sheet of wood used within a Bentley must come from the same tree.
Throughout its centennial journey, Bentley has catered to the rich. From Sultans to celebrities, the brand has served them all. And hence, beyond the artistic touch, it offers unmatched bespoke styling. From a personalized crest on the seats to a personal storage solution for your wireless earphones or a child seat matching the color of your daughter's doll's dress, you can have it all.
