| Have you ever seen the winged "B" badge of | | | | driving. Somewhat in order to break this |
| the Bentley and felt like flying? If yes, you | | | | image, Bentley Motors manufactured a |
| are not the only one! People all around the | | | | bewitching limousine passenger car. But by |
| world dream of owning a Bentley and why not, | | | | this time, the great depression had taken its |
| its stature is just too big not to be | | | | toll on Bentley Motors, leaving it in |
| desired! Bentley Motors was established in | | | | financial doldrums. Hence it was decided to |
| England in January 1919. The founder was | | | | sell the firm. Thus Rolls Royce took over |
| Walter Owen Bentley. Walter Owen was always | | | | Bentley Motors in a very dramatic manner in |
| fascinated by combustible engines and racing | | | | 1931. At that time Bentley was the most |
| motorcycles, like most young boys are, and | | | | formidable rival of Rolls Royce and the world |
| the Bentley was an outcome of this passion. | | | | saw this as a mega deal for Rolls Royce. |
| Bentley Motors has a history full of turns | | | | Actually it was good news for Bentley (in one |
| and twists and quite an interesting one too! | | | | way at least), that their baby would at least |
| Lets skim through its pages. The | | | | be in some experienced hands. Thus the |
| manufacturing of the Bentley started with a | | | | Bentley was actually with Bentley Motors only |
| 3-litre engine car which was very advanced | | | | till 1931. The Volkswagen Group ,a German |
| for its times. It had four cylinders, single | | | | company, has been the owner of Bentley since |
| overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder | | | | 1998. The Bentleys are manufactured at the |
| and twin-spark ignition via two magnetos. But | | | | Crewe factory in England. The various current |
| it did make some noise. It is said, that this | | | | and popular models of this car are Arnage, |
| noise once irritated a nurse who was | | | | Azure, Continental GT, Continental Flying |
| attending to a dying patient. To everyone's | | | | Spur and Continental GTC. Luxury, elegance |
| surprise, a person present there had then | | | | and comfort characterize all the Bentleys. |
| said 'A happy sound to die to"! Such was the | | | | Features like emergency fuel shut-off device, |
| beginning of the Bentley! The Bentley was and | | | | child safety door locks located on rear |
| is primarily known as a racing car. It has | | | | doors, engine immobilizer, front seatbelt |
| won many Le Mans trophies. The Le Mans is a | | | | height adjusters, fog lights, anti-theft |
| 24-hour car endurance test held in France. It | | | | protection, airbags with occupant sensors, |
| tests a car to it limits and those who can | | | | computers keeping track of average speed, |
| sustain the grill, command tremendous respect | | | | average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel |
| and awe in the automobile market. These races | | | | consumption and range for remaining fuel, |
| also provided a huge advertisement for the | | | | keyless entry operated via key fob, tire |
| Bentley. The first Bentley,the 3-litre car, | | | | pressure monitor, separate driver/front |
| participated and came a very respectable 4th! | | | | passenger climate controls, rear window |
| From then on, there was no looking back and | | | | defroster, heated washer system, bluetooth |
| Bentley motors went on to make some of the | | | | incorporated telephone system, electric |
| finest cars ever known. Sometimes the | | | | foldable mirrors, ashtrays, full maps, remote |
| manufacturing was so slow that the cars were | | | | controlled DVD, several speakers, headlight |
| made just before delivery and at times even | | | | cleaners, leather seats, tinted glass ,a |
| the demonstration cars had to be sold. But | | | | variety of interior lighting, etc. make the |
| their popularity never ceased to soar. In | | | | Bentley, a precious buy. The Azure also has a |
| reality fewer people bought them due to their | | | | sunroof/moonroof and a removable/convertible |
| high prices but still everyone secretly | | | | top! The Bentley cars are immediately |
| thought of taking control of one of these. | | | | recognizable by the huge headlights they |
| After a few years, it was announced that | | | | flaunt. But unlike their easy to spot |
| Bentley Motors would retire from racing as | | | | features, they are very difficult and |
| they were falling short of money. As well as | | | | intricate to make! The Bentley is known as a |
| this, all the rash race driving was giving | | | | highly reliable, sturdy and versatile car. |
| the common man a very bad impression about | | | | Versatile, as it combines uncompromising |
| the car. Some people were wary of buying the | | | | luxury with enviable performance and |
| car, as they saw it as a symbol of rough | | | | reliability. |