In a decade at the helm of his brand, W.O. Bentley will create a legend that, 70 yearslater, is still alive. The first Bentley appears in 1919, a 3 litres which lays thefoundations of what will be the Bentley until 1931. It will be replaced in 1927 by the "4½ Litre". One six-cylinder was born in 1926, which the Speed Six sports version willcover of glory on the circuits. The brand is built an outstanding reputation thanks toits resounding victories in competition.
W.O. and his Bentley Boys write the legend of le Mans, where the brand triumph 5times including 4 times consecutively (1927 to 1930). After the takeover of the brandby Rolls-Royce in 1931 released the "3 ½ Litre" which owes nothing to W.O. After thewar, the Mark VI is a decisive step towards rationalization of the production andsharing of components with Rolls-Royce.
The Continental Type R coupe demonstrates brilliantly original creations reviving theBentley tradition. But it is only a parenthesis. In 1959, the S2 receives a V8 which,redesigned to the wire of the decades, anime still today the Arnage and Azure.Models T, Bentley reaches the bottom of the abyss of cloning. Living in the shadow ofRolls-Royce, the brand seems doomed to disappear.
The alarm rings in 1982 with the Mulsanne Turbo, which inaugurates the Bentleyrevival in the 1980s. The Arnage is initiated in 1998 when Rolls-Royce is purchased bythe Volkswagen Group. Bentley and Rolls-Royce are competing as before 1931. Beginsa new era, with the first model is the coupe Continental GT to the 560 c. W12 In 2003,73 years after the last victory of Barnato, a Bentley revives the legend of le Mans.
