W. O. Bentley set up in Cricklewood to sell French DFP cars, and then began experimenting with aluminium pistons in car and aero engines. In 1919-20 he built prototype cars, which went into production in 1921. The 3-litre engine had the advanced overhead camshaft, dry sump, 4-valve per cylinder, twin spark, twin carb engine designed by Clive Gallup (partly inspired by 1914 GP Mercedes confiscated by the war office at Bentley’s suggestion and dismantled at Rolls Royce! But with more aluminium.) In 1924, Bentley won Le Mans! This inspired Woolf Barnato to invest, and the other “Bentley boys” also to adopt the cars. Bentley won Le Mans 4 years in successon from 1927-30. But Barnato was unable to stop the company going into liquidation in 1930.
Bentley 3-Litre TT
The TT model, named as a ‘replica’ of the 1922 Isle of Man TT cars, later evolved into the Speed Model. The car shown is on the chassis of a 1921 car raced at Brooklands.
Years
.
Engine
2996cc S4
Body Style
Tourer, saloon, limousine
Production
.
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model
Blue badge for the chassis for formal bodies (often by near neighbours Vanden Plas), red for the Speed Model and rare green badge for Super Sports 100 mph cars. Won Le Mans in 1924 and 1927.
Years
1921-29
Engine
2996cc S4
Body Style
Various sports, tourer, saloon
Production
1088+513+18
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 3-Litre Blower
In the winter of 1926/7 the factory’s service department created the first supercharged Bentley when this car had a Roots type blower fitted (2 years ahead of the Birkin supercharged cars).
Years
1927
Engine
2996cc S4
Body Style
.
Production
1
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 4.5-Litre
Uprated chassis to cope with bigger and heavier 4-cylinder version of the new engine. Won Le Mans in 1928.
Years
1927-31
Engine
4398cc S4 OHC
Body Style
Various tourers and saloons
Production
665
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 4.5-litre ‘Le Mans’
Vanden-Plas-built Le Mans replica on shorter chassis. Many other 4.5-litre cars have subsequently also been shortened. This one was rebodied in the 1950s and fitted with a supercharged engine.
Years
c. 1928-31.
Engine
4398cc S4 OHC
Body Style
.
Production
see 4.5-Litre
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 4.5-Litre Supersport Special
Example of coachbuilt ‘special’ sportscar. This was was rebodied since the 1960s (which is not uncommon).
Years
1925
Engine
4398cc S4 OHC
Body Style
.
Production
see 4.5-Litre
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 4.5-Litre Supercharged
Against W. O. Bentley’s wishes (hence the external mounting of the supercharger), driver Tim Birkin organised Villiers superchargers to be fitted for Le Mans homologation (like Mercedes).
Years
1930-31
Engine
4398cc S4 OHC
Body Style
.
Production
55
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 6.5-Litre Saloon
Luxury rival to Rolls-Royce with the 6-cylinder version of the new engine. Short- or long-wheelbase.
Years
1926-30
Engine
6597cc S6 OHC
Body Style
Various saloons
Production
545
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley 6.5-Litre Tourer
Open version (by coachbuilders)
Years
1926-30
Engine
6597cc S6 OHC
Body Style
Various tourers
Production
See saloon
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Bentley Speed Six
Mid-length chassis, high-compression engine, twin carbs. Won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930.
Years
1929-30
Engine
6597cc S6 OHC
Body Style
Various open and closed sports coupés
Production
182
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Non-tapering radiator sides vs 6.5-Litre standard. Green badge.
Bentley 8-Litre
A real competitor to Rolls-Royce, who probably bought Bentley from administration to prevent the car being perpetuated by Napier or another company. 12′ or 13′ wheelbase. Lightweight elektron casting!
Years
1931
Engine
7928cc S6 OHC
Body Style
Various tourers and saloons
Production
100
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.