1888
September
Walter Owen Bentley (W.O.) is born, youngest child of the family.

1912
February
W.O. and his brother H.M. (Horace) Bentley become partners in Lecoq and Co, selling French-built DFP cars from a shop in London’s Mayfair. Later they buy the company and rename it Bentley and Bentley.

1919
January
Bentley Motors is established with H.M. and W.O. Bentley and H.M.J. Ward as directors.

October
The first Bentley is completed. The 3-litre is built in a workshop near Baker Street, London, and powered by a 65bhp four-cylinder 16-valve engine. The car is the first to carry Bentley’s hallmark radiator casing and flying ‘B’ insignia.

1920
January
The first test of the 3-litre by The Autocar magazine prompts huge public interest.

1921
May
Bentley achieves its first racing success with Frank Clement victorious at Brooklands.

September
Noel van Raalte takes delivery of the first production Bentley, a 3-litre saloon with bodywork by Easter. Built at a new factory in Cricklewood, it cost £1,050.

1922
May
Bentley makes its first, and thus far only entry in the Indianapolis 500. It is driven by W.D. Hawkes to 13th place.
June
A trio of near-standard Bentley 3-litres claims the team prize in the Isle of Man TT event, taking second, fourth and fifth places. W.O. Bentley is at the wheel of the fourth-placed car.

1923
May
John Duff and Frank Clement drive a privately-entered 3-litre to fourth place in the first 24-hour Le Mans race. W.O. Bentley makes a last minute decision to attend the race, a trip that changes the course of Bentley history.

1924
June
Now competing with official Bentley backing, Duff and Clement return to Le Mans and win outright.

1925
June
Bentley announces it will build a new 6.5-litre six-cylinder model, priced £1,450.

1926
March
The first 6.5-litre Bentley leaves the factory.

May
Bentley’s financial difficulties are eased with new investment from Woolf Barnato, who becomes company chairman. W.O. Bentley is appointed Managing Director.

1927
June
Sammy Davis and Dr Dudley Benjafield nurse a badly damaged 3-litre home for an epic victory in the Le Mans 24-hour race. A 4.5-litre prototype Bentley crashes out of the race while leading.

1928
June
Woolf and Bernard Rubin deliver Bentley’s third Le Mans win, driving the 4.5-litre ‘Old Mother Gun’.

September
The ‘Speed Six’ high performance 6.5-litre Bentley is revealed.

1929
June
‘Speed Six’ Bentleys claim the top four places at Le Mans. Race winners are Barnato and Tim Birkin.

1930
June
Barnato and Glen Kidston are winners and another ‘Speed Six’ is placed second at the last Le Mans race Bentley will enter for 71 years.

September
The ultimate Bentley, the 8-litre, is launched, powered by a six-cylinder engine producing 240bhp. Only 100 examples were built.

1931
May
Production of the 4-litre Bentley begins, using a 120bhp version of the six-cylinder engine. W.O. Bentley, who was not involved in the car’s development, criticised its lacklustre performance and considered it unworthy of the Bentley badge.

July
Bentley Motors calls in the receivers.

November
Rolls-Royce buys the Bentley Motors business, thwarting an attempt by Napier to acquire the assets. W.O. Bentley remains with the company.

1933
August
Debut of the first Rolls-Royce-produced Bentley, the 3.5-litre. Built at Derby, it is based on a highly modified Rolls-Royce 20/25 chassis.

1935
June
W.O. Bentley chooses not to renew his contract with the company and takes up the position of chief designer at Lagonda.

1936
April
The six-cylinder engine is enlarged for a new 4.25-litre Bentley. It is equipped with twin SU carburettors and produces 126bhp. The car is offered in saloon, coupé and tourer body styles, priced from £1,430.

1939
February
A 4.25-litre Bentley is built to special order with aerodynamic bodywork and goes on to provide a demonstration of high-speed cruising ability on Continental motorways. Named the Embiricos Bentley after its Greek owner, it creates a new Bentley design language.

May
Launch of the Bentley MkV, equipped with the 4.25-litre engine and independent front suspension.

June
George Paulin’s designs for the Embiricos Bentley are developed for the new production Corniche model, a car capable of more than 110mph.

July
The Crewe factory is opened.

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