W.O. Bentley
The engineer who built the machines that conquered Le Mans six times.
Walter Owen 'W.O.' Bentley founded his company in Cricklewood, North London, on January 18, 1919, driven by a desire to design and build his own cars after selling French DFP vehicles. An early innovation involved using aluminium pistons, first fitted to Sopwith Camel aero engines during the First World War. His engineering focus quickly turned to endurance racing, specifically targeting the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While he did not drive in these races personally, his designs for the 3-litre and subsequent models laid the groundwork for a dynasty that would dominate the track.
- Role
- Founder & Chief Engineer
- Affiliation
- Bentley Motors (Historic)
- Le Mans Wins
- 5
- Peak Era
- 1924-1930
- Key Vehicles
- Speed Six, Blower Bentley, 8-litre
- Status
- Deceased
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Bentley's dominance at Le Mans began with a modified road car in 1924, driven by John Duff and Frank Clement. This victory sparked a golden era of four consecutive wins from 1927 to 1930, achieved by the legendary 'Bentley Boys.' In 1928, Woolf Barnato and Bernard Rubin secured an outright win in a 4½-litre car after it had crashed out while leading the previous year. The following year, 1929, saw a historic 1-2-3-4 finish for the marque with the Speed Six, followed by another 1-2 victory in 1930. However, not all innovations succeeded; Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin's supercharged 'Blower Bentley,' developed against W.O.'s wishes, was deemed unreliable and never won a race, though it famously finished second at Pau in 1930.
In Their Own Story
The rivalry between W.O. Bentley and his drivers often centered on engineering philosophy. When Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin insisted on supercharging the 4½-litre engine to create the 'Blower,' W.O. vehemently opposed it, stating that doing so would 'pervert its design and corrupt its performance.' Despite this, Barnato overruled W.O., using funds from his Baromans Ltd investment vehicle to purchase fifty cars for Birkin to modify. The resulting machines were undoubtedly fast but suffered from overstressed engine components, making them unreliable on the long endurance circuits. Meanwhile, Woolf Barnato proved that raw reliability and strategy could triumph; in March 1930, he wagered £100 that his 6½-litre Speed Six could beat the Blue Train from Cannes to Calais, then ferry to Dover and drive to London, a feat he accomplished successfully.
Reader's Guide
Success at Le Mans during this period required balancing speed with extreme durability. The 3-litre model, introduced in 1921, evolved into larger displacements like the 6½-litre (1926) and the 4½-litre (1927). A critical turning point was the development of the Speed Six in 1928, a lighter-weight variant that secured the 1-2-3-4 finish in 1929. Drivers had to manage the cars manually without modern aids; for instance, in 1922 at Indianapolis, works driver Douglas Hawkes finished 13th after starting 19th, averaging 74.95 mph, before rushing back to England for the RAC Tourist Trophy. The strategy shifted as regulations changed, moving from pure displacement wars to optimizing power within weight limits, culminating in the quiet and powerful 8-litre model launched in 1930, which ultimately led Rolls-Royce to acquire Bentley to prevent competition with their Phantom II.
Did You Know?
- W.O. Bentley founded the company on January 18, 1919, the same day the Paris Peace Conference started.
- The 'Blower Bentley' never won a race despite being fast, as its overstressed engine components made it unreliable.
- In 1929, Bentley achieved a remarkable 1-2-3-4 finish at Le Mans with the Speed Six model.
- Woolf Barnato wagered £100 in 1930 that he could beat the Blue Train from Cannes to London in his Speed Six and succeeded.
- The 8-litre model was so quiet and powerful that Henry Royce admitted, 'We can see in which way it can be better than we are,' prompting Rolls-Royce to buy Bentley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was W.O. Bentley?
Walter Owen 'W.O.' Bentley was the founder and chief engineer of Bentley Motors, establishing his company in London in 1919 to build cars based on his own designs rather than importing French vehicles.
What was W.O. Bentley's specific role at Le Mans?
Although he never drove competitively himself, he served as the mastermind engineer who designed the legendary Speed Six and Blower models that secured five victories for the brand between 1924 and 1930.
What key innovation did W.O. Bentley introduce to his engines?
He pioneered the use of aluminum pistons in automotive engines, an adaptation he first developed for Sopwith Camel aircraft during World War I before applying it to his racing cars.
Why is W.O. Bentley considered so important to Le Mans history?
His engineering vision created a dynasty that dominated the early years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, laying the technical groundwork for the famous 'Bentley Boys' era.
How did the story of W.O. Bentley's racing career conclude?
While his direct involvement ended with the financial collapse of his company in the late 1930s and his subsequent death in 1971, his legacy remains defined by the six Le Mans wins achieved through his designs.
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