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Bentley is a British automark and a surname from the anglo-saxon area. The company belongs since 1998 to the Volkswagen company.
The automark Bentley of engine Ltd. in August 1919 by walter Owen Bentley, also W O was called, based, which had before operated a trade for DFP automobiles with its brother under the name Bentley & Bentley. W.O. Bentley was passionate running driver and won some a running with improved cars.
The first own car was the 3 litre, which was presented in May 1919, but one sold only after detailed tests starting from 1921. Altogether 1622 3-Litre Bentley in different versions was produced, whereby the fastest variant, the super of sport, which achieved prestigious 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).
The next model in history was starting from 1926 manufactured 6 1/2 litre the six cylinder, whose sport version with higher compression and 2 CSU carburetors than speed Six was designated. From 1925 to the production end of 1930 545 pieces, of it 182 speed Six was built by the 6 1/2 litre.
The successor of the 3 litre of Bentley was the 4 1/2 litre, which had the same cylinder dimensions as the 6 1/2 litre, however with only 4 cylinders, by which between 1927 and and 1931 with few modifications over the construction period 665 copies were built. Of these 665 4 1/2 litres today legendary 50 standard models (plus 5 Birkin of vehicles) were equipped with compressor (Blower), this however rather against the conviction of W O Bentley (zit. "it would pervert its Design and corrupt its performance"). W O Bentley had to bend itself however its backers, in particular Woolf bar NATO, which promoted the project. (Bentley of engine Ltd. suffered since beginning under chronic shortage of money). The Blower Bentleys was however actually not stably enough, in order to obtain racer sequence.
Admits became the Bentleys by numerous racer sequence, above all however by the victories in the 24-Stunden-Rennen von Le Mans (1924 3 litre - J. Duff (GB), F. Clement (F); 1927 3 litre - D. Benjafield, S. Davis (GB); 1928 4 1/2 litre - W. bar NATO, B. Rubin (GB); 1929 - W. bar NATO, Sir H. Birkin (GB); 1930 speed Six - W. bar NATO, G. Kidston (GB) and 2003! Speed 8 GT - R.Capello (IT), T. Kristensen (DK), G. Smith (GB)).
Apart from the racer sequences it may not be forgotten that numerous Bentleys became to provide with elegant travel bodies. These remarks did not have to shrink from the comparison with models of Daimler or Rolls-Royces.
With the Bentley of 8 litres 1930, thus at present the world economic crisis, a model presented, which was technically extremely elegant and also with and heavy body superstructures high speeds reached, but was evenly also too expensive, in order to obtain a market success. As last independent model 1931 the Bentley was introduced to 4 litre, which could be sold however likewise only in few copies, so that Bentley had to announce 1931 bankruptcy.
After the insolvency the former autoproducer and aircraft engine manufacturers at that time Napier & Son wanted to take over and resume the company Bentley. Napier was over-bid however by the unknown British cent ral Equitable Trust, which acted on behalf of Rolls-Royces, in order to prevent so a powerful competitor.
Out still existing parts still some 4 litre models were manufactured, developed parallel however on basis of the 20/25 H.P von Rolls-Royce of the Bentley 3 1/2 litre. Under the name "The silents of sport Car" marketed 3 1/2 litre had however about 50 per cent more achievement. 1,177 copies were built from 1933 to 1936. The manufacturing had been shifted after Derby, therefore the vehicles are called from this time Derby Bentleys. Successor became the 4 1/4 litre, from which to 1939 1,234 copies were manufactured and which was continuously developed further during its construction period, above all in order on the arising motorways high speeds to make possible. The Derby Bentleys had above-steered bumper engines with lateral cam shaft, contrary to the engines with obenliegender cam shaft, built by W.O. Bentley. The development begun of the Bentley Mark of V was interrupted by the Second World War, for only 19 prototypes developed.
After the Second World War the vehicle production of civilian cars of Rolls-Royces and Bentley was again taken up in the today still genutzen work to Crewe. While the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, like all past vehicles, was offered only as chassis with engine, the Bentley Mark identically constructed within many ranges was offered to VI for the first time as complete car. Also here again the Bentley was the sportier variant. Beside the Marks of VI with work bodies also further individual superstructures of renowned body farmers were realized such as Mulliner, park Ward and many different, however approximately 80% of the 5,202 built Marks of VI with the standard Steel of sport Saloon body geordert.1952 became replaced the only slightly developed further Bentley R-type the predecessor model. With that R-type began also the tradition with Bentley particularly sporty folders of the standard model as Continental to offer. The name been based on the higher speeds those, from British view, on the continent to be driven were allowed. The only 208 times built, Bentley R-type Continental with predominantly nearly-bake body of H.J. Mulliner was at his time the fastest viersitzige sports car of the world. The similarities between the Rolls-Royces models and the sister models of Bentley continued to increase, when 1955 parallel the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and the Bentley S-type were introduced. The two types differed no longer in engine performance separate only by radiators, mark emblems and small body details. The Bentley S-type was still based on a separate chassis, whereby further special superstructures could be realized. Also of this model there was with sporty special bodies equipped a Continental version and a variant with extended Radstand.Der large success S-type 1959 by the introduction this very day (2006) in further developed form built Leichtmetall-V8 of engine with 6,2 litres capacity was crowned. The S2 model mentioned was otherwise identically constructed and starting from 1962 up to building the series of 1965 from the S3 with double headlights was replaced. The distribution of the building numbers between the sister models is interesting. While by afterwards in such a way designated S1 with 3.538 pieces more than by were clearly built the Silver Cloud I with 2.360 pieces, the relationship amounted to with the S2 already 2,308 to 2,717 Silver Cloud II and with the S3 only 1,630 to 2,809 Silver Cloud III.
1965 were introduced to that, for Rolls-Royce conditions, almost revolutionary Silver Shadow and the identically constructed sister model Bentley T-Series. If those were very conservative predecessor model with their swung forms themselves for the time at that time, the new sister models were technical and optical on the height of the time and as extremely successfully were generally recognized. Technical innovations were used for the first time like a self-supporting body, disc brakes, an independent wheel suspension and a Niveuregulierung. The new T-type was smaller and also easier in its external dimensions in all dimensions, which is to be understood however relatively, yet could the interior by the self-supporting body be increased. Starting from 1969 a version with long wheel base could be ordered and alternatively with a friction disk. The vehicles were built until 1980, whereby the models were designated bumpers as well as numerous technical changes than Silver Shadow II, and/or T2, plastic-padded of 1977-1980 due to the numerous changes, like another instrument panel. The portion of the Bentleys continued to decrease nevertheless opposite the Rolls-Royces versions, only approximately 7% as Bentley T-Series was delivered. The T2 was not homologiert no more for the most important export market the USA. To adjust it already considers the mark Bentley.
As successors in October 1980 the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and the sister model Bentley Mulsanne were presented. With it and in particular with that 1982 introduced Bentley Mulsanne turbo began the recovery of the Bentley sales. The turbo-versions, with an achievement of "sufficiently plus 50% ", clearly higher performance and again distinguishable opposite the Rolls-Royces sister models opened new and above all younger groups of buyers. This was recognized and 1984 became that, for Rolls-Royce conditions, somewhat more favorable Bentley Eight with traditional chromed wire mesh radiator grille vorgestellt.1985 became then the most important model of this time, which Bentley turbo R, presented, which was built in different evolution stages until 1997. Thus Bentley won clear profile as sporty however nevertheless mark. The sales numbers increased again and since 1990 again more Bentleys than Rolls-Royces are produced.
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