Skip to content

BENTLEY

24 entries

British luxury with racing roots: five Le Mans wins in the 1920s before the company turned to grand touring.

Founded: 1919, Cricklewood, London
Founder: W. O. Bentley
Headquarters: Crewe, England
Owner: Volkswagen Group since 1998

W. O. Bentley founded the company in 1919. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930, and again in 2003.

Rolls-Royce bought Bentley out of receivership in 1931; the two stayed together until Volkswagen bought Bentley in 1998. Today’s range includes the Flying Spur, Continental GT and Bentayga, mostly built in Crewe.

1919W. O. Bentley founds the company
1924First Le Mans win; four more follow by 1930
1931Rolls-Royce buys Bentley
1998Volkswagen Group acquires Bentley
2003Wins Le Mans again