Showroom PR - Bentley Pulborough

On a visit to the DFP factory in 1913, W.O. happened to notice an aluminium paperweight
on somebody’s desk. It gave him the idea of using the lightweight metal in place of cast
iron to make engine pistons.
The first such Bentley pistons went into service in aero engines for the Sopwith Camel
during the Great War but when the fighting was over W.O. set about development of a
racing engine - Experimental Bentley No 1.
“I wanted to make a fast car, a good car - the best in its class”, and he did.
In the 1920s, with the 3 litre, 85bhp engine providing speeds of 80 mph and more,
Bentley Motors set numerous speed and endurance records, competed successfully at
Indianapolis, the Isle of Man TT and Brooklands - and became inextricably linked with the
history of the famous 24-hour race at Le Mans.
Above: 1939 Crewe factory
Below: 1992 Bentley Brooklands
Le Mans - one of the longest established motor races in the world - is a gruelling test of
speed, endurance and teamwork.
The legendary Bentley Boys - ex-fighter pilot Sir Henry Birkin, diamond heir Woolf
Barnato, adventurer Glen Kidston, Harley Street consultant John Benjafield and former
jockey George Duller - achieved Le Mans victories in 1924, 1927, 1928 1929, and 1930
- taking the first four places in 1929.