Walter Owen Bentley - Revision history

Red marquis: /* Personal life */

2009-08-08T06:16:02Z

Personal life

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:16, 8 August 2009
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	W.O. married three times, first to Leonie who died in 1919, then to Poppy and finally in 1934 to Margaret. He had no children. Bentley died in 1971 as a revered patron of the Bentley Drivers' Club. His widow Margaret lived until 1989.		W.O. married three times, first to Leonie who died in 1919, then to Poppy and finally in 1934 to Margaret. He had no children. Bentley died in 1971 as a revered patron of the Bentley Drivers' Club. His widow Margaret lived until 1989.

			==See Also==
			{{Bentley}}

	==External links==		==External links==

Red marquis at 06:02, 5 March 2007

2007-03-05T06:02:17Z

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	[[Image:Walterowenbentley.jpg\|right\|~~350px~~]]		[[Image:Walterowenbentley.jpg\|right\|200px]]
	'''Walter Owen Bentley''' (September 16 1888 – August 3 1971), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]].		'''Walter Owen Bentley''' (September 16 1888 – August 3 1971), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]].

Red marquis at 06:01, 5 March 2007

2007-03-05T06:01:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:01, 5 March 2007
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			[[Image:Walterowenbentley.jpg\|right\|350px]]
	'''Walter Owen Bentley''' (September 16 1888 – August 3 1971), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]].		'''Walter Owen Bentley''' (September 16 1888 – August 3 1971), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]].

Red marquis at 23:00, 22 January 2007

2007-01-22T23:00:04Z

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	[[Category:Bentley\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]		[[Category:Bentley\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
	[[Category:British automotive engineers\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]		[[Category:British automotive engineers\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
	[[Category:~~English businesspeople\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]~~		[[Category:Automotive company founders\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
	~~[[Category:1888 births\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]~~
	~~[[Category:1971 deaths~~\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]

Red marquis: /* References */

2007-01-02T22:39:23Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 2 January 2007
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	==References==		==References==
	*''Bentley: The Man behind the Marque'' Author - Malcolm Bobbitt (ISBN 1-85983-352-8~~{{Please check ISBN\|Calculated check digit (7) doesn't match given.}}~~) 2003		*''Bentley: The Man behind the Marque'' Author - Malcolm Bobbitt (ISBN 1-85983-352-8) 2003

	[[Category:Bentley\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]		[[Category:Bentley\|Bentley, Walter Owen]]

Red marquis: /* Bentley the manufacturer */

2007-01-02T22:38:37Z

Bentley the manufacturer

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 2 January 2007
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	==Bentley the manufacturer==		==Bentley the manufacturer==

	After the war, he founded his own motor car company, [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve\|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys\|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to Kimberley diamond magnate [[Barney Barnato]], becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre\|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower\|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre\|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.		After the war, he founded his own motor car company, [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve\|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys\|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to Kimberley diamond magnate Barney Barnato, becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre\|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower\|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre\|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.

	The Wall Street Crash affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre\|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in 1931. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited\|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II\|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until 1935, working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre\|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.		The Wall Street Crash affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre\|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in 1931. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited\|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II\|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until 1935, working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre\|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.

Red marquis at 22:33, 2 January 2007

2007-01-02T22:33:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:33, 2 January 2007
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	==Bentley the manufacturer==		==Bentley the manufacturer==

	After the war, he founded his own motor car company, [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve\|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys\|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to [[Kimberley~~, South Africa\|Kimberley]]~~ diamond magnate [[Barney Barnato]], becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre\|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower\|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre\|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.		After the war, he founded his own motor car company, [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve\|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys\|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to Kimberley diamond magnate [[Barney Barnato]], becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre\|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower\|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre\|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.

	The [[Wall Street Crash]] affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre\|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in [[1931]]. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited\|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II\|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until [[1935]], working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre\|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.		The Wall Street Crash affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre\|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in 1931. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited\|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II\|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until 1935, working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre\|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.

	==After Bentley Motors==		==After Bentley Motors==
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	Bentley moved with the majority of the racing department staff to [[Lagonda]], which was recently saved from receivership by [[Alan Good]]. There, Bentley again went racing, and his [[Lagonda MG45 Rapide]], won Le Mans in 1935. His 4480 cc [[V12]] engine was a masterpiece of engineering, developing 180 hp (134 kW).		Bentley moved with the majority of the racing department staff to [[Lagonda]], which was recently saved from receivership by [[Alan Good]]. There, Bentley again went racing, and his [[Lagonda MG45 Rapide]], won Le Mans in 1935. His 4480 cc [[V12]] engine was a masterpiece of engineering, developing 180 hp (134 kW).

	After World War II, Lagonda was bought by [[David Brown]], who combined it with [[Aston Martin]]. Brown had purchased Lagonda largely to gain Bentley's engineering expertise, and immediately placed his 2.6 L [[straight-6]] engine under the bonnet of his [[Aston Martin DB2\|DB2]]. This durable [[DOHC]] engine would continue in use at Aston through 1959. Bentley remained as an engineer at Aston Martin for a time, moving to [[Armstrong Siddeley]] where he designed a twin overhead cam 3 litre engine before retiring.		After World War II, Lagonda was bought by [[David Brown]], who combined it with [[Aston Martin]]. Brown had purchased Lagonda largely to gain Bentley's engineering expertise, and immediately placed his 2.6 L [[straight-6]] engine under the bonnet of his [[Aston Martin DB2\|DB2]]. This durable [[DOHC]] engine would continue in use at Aston through 1959. Bentley remained as an engineer at Aston Martin for a time, moving to Armstrong Siddeley where he designed a twin overhead cam 3 litre engine before retiring.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==

Red marquis at 22:31, 2 January 2007

2007-01-02T22:31:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 2 January 2007
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	'''Walter Owen Bentley''' ([[September 16~~]] [[~~1888]] – [[August 3~~]] [[~~1971]]), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]].		'''Walter Owen Bentley''' (September 16 1888 – August 3 1971), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]].

	==Before Bentley Motors==		==Before Bentley Motors==

	One of five brothers and four sisters, he was educated at [[Clifton College]], a boarding school near [[Bristol]], [[England]] from 1902 until 1905 when he left to start work as an apprentice railway engineer with the ~~[[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)\|~~Great Northern Railway]] at [[Doncaster]]. After a period with the National Motor Cab Company, Bentley in 1912 joined his brother, H.M. (Henry) Bentley, in a company called "Bentley and Bentley" selling ~~[[France\|~~French]] [[DFP]] cars. Unsatisfied with their performance, W.O. designed new aluminum alloy pistons and a tuned [[camshaft]] for the DFP engine, taking several records at [[Brooklands]] in [[1913]] and [[1914]]. During [[World War I]], he was a Captain in the Royal Naval Air Service, where he played a major role in improving the design and manufacture of [[Clerget]] engines for the [[Sopwith Camel]] and the [[Sopwith Snipe]] aircraft. These were known as the BR1 (''Bentley Rotary 1'') and BR2 and were made by [[~~Humber (car)\|~~Humber]]. For this he was awarded an ~~[[Order of the British Empire\|~~MBE]], and an award of £8,000 from the Commission for Awards to Inventors.		One of five brothers and four sisters, he was educated at Clifton College, a boarding school near Bristol, England from 1902 until 1905 when he left to start work as an apprentice railway engineer with the Great Northern Railway at Doncaster. After a period with the National Motor Cab Company, Bentley in 1912 joined his brother, H.M. (Henry) Bentley, in a company called "Bentley and Bentley" selling French [[DFP]] cars. Unsatisfied with their performance, W.O. designed new aluminum alloy pistons and a tuned [[camshaft]] for the DFP engine, taking several records at [[Brooklands]] in 1913 and 1914. During World War I, he was a Captain in the Royal Naval Air Service, where he played a major role in improving the design and manufacture of [[Clerget]] engines for the Sopwith Camel and the Sopwith Snipe aircraft. These were known as the BR1 (''Bentley Rotary 1'') and BR2 and were made by [[Humber]]. For this he was awarded an MBE, and an award of £8,000 from the Commission for Awards to Inventors.

	==Bentley the manufacturer==		==Bentley the manufacturer==

	After the war, he founded his own [[motor car]] company, [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve\|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys\|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to [[Kimberley, South Africa\|Kimberley]] diamond magnate [[Barney Barnato]], becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre\|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower\|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre\|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.		After the war, he founded his own motor car company, [[Bentley\|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve\|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys\|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to [[Kimberley, South Africa\|Kimberley]] diamond magnate [[Barney Barnato]], becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre\|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower\|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre\|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.

	The [[Wall Street Crash]] affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre\|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in [[1931]]. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited\|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II\|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until [[1935]], working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre\|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.		The [[Wall Street Crash]] affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre\|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in [[1931]]. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited\|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II\|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until [[1935]], working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre\|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.
Line 13:		Line 13:
	==After Bentley Motors==		==After Bentley Motors==

	Bentley moved with the majority of the racing department staff to [[Lagonda]], which was recently saved from [[receivership]] by [[Alan Good]]. There, Bentley again went racing, and his [[Lagonda MG45 Rapide]], won Le Mans in 1935. His 4480 cc [[V12]] engine was a masterpiece of engineering, developing 180 hp (134 kW).		Bentley moved with the majority of the racing department staff to [[Lagonda]], which was recently saved from receivership by [[Alan Good]]. There, Bentley again went racing, and his [[Lagonda MG45 Rapide]], won Le Mans in 1935. His 4480 cc [[V12]] engine was a masterpiece of engineering, developing 180 hp (134 kW).

	After [[World War II]], Lagonda was bought by [[~~David Brown (entrepreneur)\|~~David Brown]], who combined it with [[Aston Martin]]. Brown had purchased Lagonda largely to gain Bentley's engineering expertise, and immediately placed his 2.6 L [[straight-6]] engine under the bonnet of his [[Aston Martin DB2\|DB2]]. This durable [[DOHC]] engine would continue in use at Aston through [[1959]]. Bentley remained as an engineer at Aston Martin for a time, moving to [[Armstrong Siddeley]] where he designed a twin overhead cam 3 litre engine before retiring.		After World War II, Lagonda was bought by [[David Brown]], who combined it with [[Aston Martin]]. Brown had purchased Lagonda largely to gain Bentley's engineering expertise, and immediately placed his 2.6 L [[straight-6]] engine under the bonnet of his [[Aston Martin DB2\|DB2]]. This durable [[DOHC]] engine would continue in use at Aston through 1959. Bentley remained as an engineer at Aston Martin for a time, moving to [[Armstrong Siddeley]] where he designed a twin overhead cam 3 litre engine before retiring.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==

	W.O. married three times, first to Leonie who died in 1919, then to Poppy and finally in 1934 to Margaret. He had no children. Bentley died in [[1971]] as a revered patron of the Bentley Drivers' Club. His widow Margaret lived until 1989.		W.O. married three times, first to Leonie who died in 1919, then to Poppy and finally in 1934 to Margaret. He had no children. Bentley died in 1971 as a revered patron of the Bentley Drivers' Club. His widow Margaret lived until 1989.

	==External links==		==External links==

Red marquis at 22:27, 2 January 2007

2007-01-02T22:27:08Z

New page

'''Walter Owen Bentley''' ([[September 16]] [[1888]] – [[August 3]] [[1971]]), often known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O." was the founder of [[Bentley|Bentley Motors]].

==Before Bentley Motors==

One of five brothers and four sisters, he was educated at [[Clifton College]], a boarding school near [[Bristol]], [[England]] from 1902 until 1905 when he left to start work as an apprentice railway engineer with the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] at [[Doncaster]]. After a period with the National Motor Cab Company, Bentley in 1912 joined his brother, H.M. (Henry) Bentley, in a company called "Bentley and Bentley" selling [[France|French]] [[DFP]] cars. Unsatisfied with their performance, W.O. designed new aluminum alloy pistons and a tuned [[camshaft]] for the DFP engine, taking several records at [[Brooklands]] in [[1913]] and [[1914]]. During [[World War I]], he was a Captain in the Royal Naval Air Service, where he played a major role in improving the design and manufacture of [[Clerget]] engines for the [[Sopwith Camel]] and the [[Sopwith Snipe]] aircraft. These were known as the BR1 (''Bentley Rotary 1'') and BR2 and were made by [[Humber (car)|Humber]]. For this he was awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]], and an award of £8,000 from the Commission for Awards to Inventors.

==Bentley the manufacturer==

After the war, he founded his own [[motor car]] company, [[Bentley|Bentley Motors]], in 1920. W.O. designed a high-tech four-cylinder engine and sturdy chassis, the [[Bentley 3 Litre]]. This car was the first to use [[multi-valve|4 valves per cylinder]] and dual spark plugs, and its durability earned widespread acclaim. The 3 Litre won the [[24 hours of Le Mans]] in 1924 and following models repeated this each year from 1927 through 1930. His racing manager was an old school friend, [[Richard Sidney Witchell]]. Bentley set many records at Le Mans: [[Bentley Boys|"Bentley Boy"]] [[Woolf Barnato]] was the only driver to win on all three times he entered, giving him the highest victory percentage. Bentley's racing success failed to keep the motor car company afloat, and W.O. was forced to sell a majority share to raise cash. The "Bentley Boys" came up with the money, with Woolf Barnato, heir to [[Kimberley, South Africa|Kimberley]] diamond magnate [[Barney Barnato]], becoming the majority shareholder. W.O. stayed on to design another generation of cars, the six-cylinder [[Bentley 6.5 Litre|6½ Litre]], but his control was slipping. Against his wishes, Barnato allowed the [[supercharged]] "[[Bentley Blower|Blower]]" version of his [[Bentley 4.5 Litre|4½ Litre]] car to be built, but durability was poor and the car failed on the track.

The [[Wall Street Crash]] affected Bentley's business greatly, especially as the company had just launched the [[Bentley 8 Litre|8 Litre]] as a grand car for the ultra-rich. After unsuccessful attempts to save the company, Barnato and Bentley were forced to sell to an anonymous holding company, British Central Equitable Trust, in [[1931]]. This turned out to be archrival [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]], who had been disturbed by the 8 Litre's encroaching on the market turf of their [[Rolls-Royce Phantom II|Phantom II]]. W.O. remained with the company until [[1935]], working on the [[Bentley 3.5 Litre|3½ Litre]] and other models. But Rolls-Royce closed the racing department, and Bentley eventually decided to go.

==After Bentley Motors==

Bentley moved with the majority of the racing department staff to [[Lagonda]], which was recently saved from [[receivership]] by [[Alan Good]]. There, Bentley again went racing, and his [[Lagonda MG45 Rapide]], won Le Mans in 1935. His 4480 cc [[V12]] engine was a masterpiece of engineering, developing 180 hp (134 kW).

After [[World War II]], Lagonda was bought by [[David Brown (entrepreneur)|David Brown]], who combined it with [[Aston Martin]]. Brown had purchased Lagonda largely to gain Bentley's engineering expertise, and immediately placed his 2.6 L [[straight-6]] engine under the bonnet of his [[Aston Martin DB2|DB2]]. This durable [[DOHC]] engine would continue in use at Aston through [[1959]]. Bentley remained as an engineer at Aston Martin for a time, moving to [[Armstrong Siddeley]] where he designed a twin overhead cam 3 litre engine before retiring.

==Personal life==

W.O. married three times, first to Leonie who died in 1919, then to Poppy and finally in 1934 to Margaret. He had no children. Bentley died in [[1971]] as a revered patron of the Bentley Drivers' Club. His widow Margaret lived until 1989.

==External links==
* [http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/S/speedmachines/bentleymercedes.html Channel 4: Bentley v Mercedes] Site with a short biography of Bentley.

==References==
*''Bentley: The Man behind the Marque'' Author - Malcolm Bobbitt (ISBN 1-85983-352-8{{Please check ISBN|Calculated check digit (7) doesn't match given.}}) 2003

[[Category:Bentley|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
[[Category:British automotive engineers|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
[[Category:English businesspeople|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
[[Category:1888 births|Bentley, Walter Owen]]
[[Category:1971 deaths|Bentley, Walter Owen]]