It is not the only book to be published to mark Bentley's centenary, but author Andrew Noakes is a guarantee that it is well researched and a coherent read. Noakes trained as an engineer in automotive technology and began writing technical articles for trade journals in 1994. He soon made a name for himself as an author of exciting articles on all makes from Abarth to Zastava, writing travelogues and reporting on motorsport events. Today he writes for numerous English-language magazines.
The beginning
The foreword and introduction are supplemented by a timeline listing the brand's models. The author then devotes eight pages to the life of the young Walter Owen Bentley, beginning with his youth, when he discovered his passion for speed and performance with motorcycles and steam engines.
The adventures of the ambitious man are described in detail, how he became increasingly interested in automobiles and motor racing and how the company was finally founded. The foundation stone for the legend had been laid. The early years are illustrated with dozens of historical photos.
The successful beginnings in racing and the crisis
Many people are aware that the "Bentley Boys" dominated motor racing at the time and won a series of victories at Le Mans. However, the author also looks at other racing successes and takes a very close look at Bentley's motorsport ambitions and its affinity for aircraft engines.
The turmoil of the takeover
Few people are aware that Rolls Royce initially showed no interest in taking over Bentley. But here, too, Noakes delves deep into the history, shedding light on the connection with the former car manufacturer Napier, the legal disputes that preceded the takeover and the identity of the initially mysterious, unknown buyer. It was not Rolls Royce, but an unknown organization.
After the first third of the book, the story continues with the ties to Rolls Royce and tells of the interpersonal difficulties of such a merger. The reader can really get excited about what was going on behind the scenes and how Bentley was later appointed to Lagonda, a very successful brand in motor racing at the time. Here, about halfway through the book, O.W. Bentley parts company with Rolls Royce and the book moves on to the next era.
Rolls Royce era and badge engineering
In the following pages, impressive photos illustrate how Bentley cars were no longer reminiscent of touring or racing cars, but became clearly recognizable as luxurious road vehicles. The outbreak of the Second World War shortly afterwards brought automobile production in the United Kingdom (and worldwide) to a standstill and it was not until the end of the 1940s that it picked up again. The vehicles of the post-war period illustrate how they became increasingly similar in appearance and technology to Rolls Royces, until one could speak of actual badge engineering.
The author brings the general upheaval in the automotive industry and the changed customer requirements into play here and skillfully conveys the spirit of the times. Details on the not very well-known cooperation with the British Motor Corporation or the installation of technical components from Citroën round off the chapter on the sixties.
Noakes always describes the model series, which is why the description of individual models (for example the Model T) spans more than a decade. This also makes it easy for the reader to gain compact knowledge about a particular model without having to leaf through various chapters. It is amazing how much attention the author pays to detail: Where else will you learn that the elapsed driving time was shown on an LED display in the Mulsanne?
Vickers and then VW
The period after the merger with Vickers in 1980, when Bentley was resurrected after difficult years and became more attractive with sporty models, is also described vividly and in detail.
After almost 20 years under the Vickers umbrella, the Bentley brand was finally sold to Volkswagen, which still owns it today.
Racing in the modern era and economic considerations
The author devotes an entire 14-page chapter to the legendary Le Mans successes of the modern era, which remind us of the beginning of the book with the "Bentley Boys".
Another chapter sheds light on how Volkswagen wants to make Bentley more economical. Concept studies are illustrated that visually incorporate racing elements. Volkswagen is trying to find out what the Bentley customer wants.
Page 227 concludes the book for 2019 and is rounded off with an illustrated model overview and an index. The fact that the model overview is missing the build times is surprising in such a meticulously researched book, but it is bearable.
Who is the book for?
If you are only interested in models from a specific period or a specific model, the content of the book may be too broad, which naturally limits the depth of detail. .
For anyone interested in the entire 100 years of the brand, it is definitely a good read. A book that you can read comfortably in front of the fireplace in the evening to immerse yourself in the various periods of Bentley's history.
Bibliographical details
- Title: Bentley - Luxury passion and tradition since 1919
- Author: Andrew Noakes
- Language: German
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition, September 25, 2019
- Format: Hardcover, 24.8 x 2.3 x 25.7 cm
- Size: 224 pages, many modern color pictures, some black and white photos
- ISBN: 978-3613041981
- Price: EUR 49.90
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at Motorbuch Verlag or in the relevant bookstore
