The story of Bentley is one of determination, engineering ambition and transformation—from a fledgling car maker with almost no manufacturing assets to a global luxury brand crafting some of the world’s most desirable vehicles. Founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley (often known as W.O. Bentley) in Cricklewood, London, the company overcame years of uncertainty, financial turbulence and manufacturing challenges before establishing its home at Crewe, Cheshire. Over time, it emerged as a symbol of British craftsmanship, performance and luxury. en+1
1. The Humble Beginnings (1919–1920s)
Bentley Motors was founded on 10 July 1919. W.O. Bentley brought to the venture a history of engine design work during the First World War and a strong desire: “To build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class.” en But the early days were far from glamorous. As one contemporary noted: the company had “no works, no staff and no experience of manufacture”, yet promised to build. The prototype chassis was tested publicly to prove the concept.
By November 1919, at the London Motor Show, a Bentley chassis was exhibited—though it still lacked a production-ready body. Rumours grew that the company might never deliver. Yet the first customer car did arrive and Bentley began its production journey.
By the mid-1920s, Bentley achieved legendary status on the racetrack, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930. Classic Rolls Royce – Bentley+1 This early success on track brought prestige and helped the brand gain traction among wealthy drivers seeking performance and luxury.
2. War, Merger and the Move to Crewe
The next phase saw major upheavals. In 1931, Bentley was acquired by the parent of Rolls‑Royce, which changed the direction of the marque. Volkswagen Group During the Second World War, Crewe—a site that would become central to Bentley’s future—was used as a Rolls-Royce aero-engine factory, manufacturing Merlin engines for fighters and bombers. Albers Motorcars+1
After the war, Bentley production relocated to Crewe. The year 1946 marked the launch of the Bentley Mark VI, the first fully complete Bentley built at Crewe. autointell.com+1 This move signalled the transition from bespoke, coach-built cars to a more production-oriented luxury vehicle model. The Crewe site became the company’s manufacturing and design hub—a status it retains. Bentley Media
3. Decline, Reinvention and the 1980s Revival
In the decades that followed, Bentley often played a secondary role to Rolls-Royce within the parent company, with many Bentleys sharing platforms with Rolls-Royce models. Volkswagen Group+1 The brand’s identity and performance heritage risked being diluted.
A turning point came in the early 1980s, when Vickers plc acquired the business and re-emphasised Bentley as a performance-luxury brand. The Bentley Turbo R (1985) revived the marque’s sporting credentials and set the stage for greater differentiation. Volkswagen Group This was the beginning of Bentley’s modern era of performance luxury rather than simply luxury performance.
4. Volkswagen Era and the Golden Age of Crewe
A major shift arrived in 1998, when the Volkswagen Group acquired Bentley, along with the Crewe factory and the rights to use the Bentley brand separately from Rolls-Royce. Volkswagen Group+1
Under Volkswagen’s stewardship, Bentley invested heavily in Crewe, modernised its production infrastructure and launched new models that combined handcrafted luxury with high performance. Cars like the Continental GT and later Bentayga SUV showcased Bentley’s ability to scale production while preserving craftsmanship. Albers Motorcars
Crewe itself became a centre of refined manufacturing: the facility spans over 166,000 m² and employs thousands, covering design, engineering, manufacture, quality, sales & marketing on one integrated site. 5. From Craftsman to Global Luxury Powerhouse
Today, Bentley is more than just a British luxury brand—it operates globally, producing vehicles that command prestige, performance and exclusivity. While the company began as an independent startup with limited resources, it has grown into a manufacturer capable of creating fully hand-crafted cars with multi-million-pound price tags.
The Crewe factory continues to emphasise meticulous craftsmanship. For example, hand-made interiors, leather trimming, wood veneer inlays, and a production philosophy that emphasises quality over speed.Bentley’s turnaround—from financial uncertainty in its early years and after WWII, through corporate restructuring, to a clear luxury performance identity—is a lesson in brand reinvention.
6. What the Journey Teaches Us
- Vision and persistence: W.O. Bentley started with little infrastructure but a clear vision. The early message that production would follow despite obstacles established brand credibility.
- Heritage as a springboard: The success at Le Mans and early racing credentials provided a foundation for performance-luxury identity.
- Adapting to change: The move to Crewe, the integration under Rolls-Royce, and later the return to independent identity under Volkswagen demonstrate adaptability.
- Craftsmanship at scale: Bentley’s ability to combine craftsmanship with modern production whilst expanding globally is rare in the luxury automotive sector.
- Ownership and investment: The Volkswagen era shows the importance of long-term investment and strategic ownership in unlocking brand potential.
Conclusion
Bentley’s arc—from its beginnings in a small London workshop to the luxury factory in Crewe producing global icons—reflects a journey filled with obstacles, transformation and triumph. Far from being a straightforward road, the company’s path was marked by financial distress, war-time disruption, brand dilution and finally revival under new ownership. Yet today, Bentley stands as one of the world’s most revered luxury marques.
Its story reaffirms that even the most ambitious of startups must overcome manufacturing challenges, market uncertainty and evolving identity to become a true leader. And for Bentley, Crewe remains the living symbol of that journey—where craftsmanship meets scale, tradition meets innovation, and the once-small startup over a century ago now shapes the future of luxury performance.
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