ONE OF THE BEST

The name Bentley conjures up opulence, comfort and speed. François Prins looks at the history of this remarkable marque that is admired the world over

- François Prins

Walter Owen Bentley – WO to those who knew him – did not start out as an automobile engineer but worked on heavier engineering. Born on 16 September 1888 at Hampstead, London he was the youngest of nine children of Alfred and Emily Bentley. WO Bentley was educated at Clifton College, Bristol from 1902 until 1905 when he left to start work as an apprentice at the Doncaster Locomotive Works of the Great Northern Railway. Here he learned his engineering skills and by 1909 was ready to experience his childhood ambition to operate a steam locomotive; this came true and he became a fireman on locomotives out of London King’s Cross.

Like many young men of the time, Bentley acquired a motorcycle, a 3hp Quadrant and used it daily in Doncaster. Becoming a proficient rider, in 1907 he entered the 400-mile London to Edinburgh Trial, staged by the Motor Cycling Club. These early motorcycles were prone to problems and Bentley had his fair share of them en route but he reached Edinburgh just before the scheduled deadline, and so qualified for a gold medal in his first sporting trial. On leaving the Great Northern Railway, WO acquired a DFP (Doriot, Flandrin & Parant) motor car; made in France it was quite a sporty machine and in 1912 WO, with his brother HM, bought the UK agency for DFP and registered Bentley and Bentley as sole agents. The marque was popular and, with WO driving, was seen in various sporting events.