W. O. Bentley

Walter Owen Bentley, MBE, ( born September 16, 1888 in London, † August 3, 1971 ) was a British racing driver and entrepreneur. He was the founder of the car brand Bentley.

Life

Walter Owen Bentley was trained mechanical engineer and car designer. He completed his education, inter alia, at the Great Northern Railway ( mechanical engineer ). His first stop as an entrepreneur was the firm Bentley & Bentley, one on import and trade of DFP automobiles specialized company, which he founded in 1912 with his brother Henry Bentley. After serving as a pilot in the Royal Air Force during the First World War, Walter Owen Bentley was supported by a loan from the Royal Naval Air Service, to begin with the production of cars, especially sports cars. In the automotive exhibition in London in 1919 he was able to present his first car and the company, Bentley Motors Ltd.. was founded. 1921 followed by the name of Experimental Engine No.1, the first production vehicle. Bentley himself was a passionate racing driver and took his own designs successfully participated in numerous races. Due to very high construction costs, the cost of racing participation and poor sales figures in the wake of the global economic crisis, the company was despite sporting successes in financially difficult situation. After investors of Bentley Motors Ltd.. withdrew, bankruptcy had to be notified. 1931 acquired the rival Rolls -Royce, the company, including all rights and production facilities. Walter Owen Bentley was able to withstand the loss of his life's work to a competitor ever, but had to work because of an agreement arising from this agreement until 1935 for the company Rolls- Royce. After his departure, still followed by positions with the manufacturers Lagonda and Aston Martin. His last employment before reaching retirement age was as a design engineer at the carmaker Armstrong Siddeley.

Walter Owen Bentley, WO Bentley or just WO only was called, was married three times. In 1995, he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.