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1940
July
Bentley and Rolls-Royce prototypes are sent to Canada as Britain
stands alone against Germany in World War II.
1944
August
The prototype models are brought back to Britain from Canada as the
tide of the war turns.
1946
May
The Bentley MkVI is launched. It is the first Bentley to feature a
pressed steel body also the first to be built from standard
Rolls-Royce components.
1947
January
Rolls-Royce wins a legal battle preventing W.O. Bentley from giving
his name to a new Lagonda model.
1949
March
Bentley builds its first left-hand drive model, a MkVI.
1952
June
The Bentley R-Type Continental makes its debut, a Mulliner-bodied
coupé capable of 120mph. It is the last Bentley to be built with no
equivalent Rolls-Royce model for 30 years.
September
The Bentley R-Type, successor to the MkIV, is announced. Officially
designated the Bentley Sports Saloon, it provides the blueprint for
the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn.
1954
September
Drophead coupé and sports saloon versions of the Bentley Continental
are introduced, with bodies by Park Ward.
1955
April
The Bentley S Series is announced, powered by a new 4.9-litre
version of the six-cylinder engine and equipped with automatic
transmission. It is built at Crewe alongside the Rolls-Royce Silver
Cloud.
September
Following the end of R-Type production in May, Continental models
based on the S Series are introduced.
1957
October
The lightweight Mulliner-bodied four-door Bentley Continental Flying
Spur is launched.
1959
September
The Bentley S2 is announced. It uses an all-new 6.2-litre aluminium
V8 engine, replacing the six-cylinder unit originally developed for
Rolls-Royce models in the 1920s.
1962
October
The Bentley S3 is announced, offering more power and interior space.
A total of 1,286 will be built, up to 1965.
1965
October
The Bentley T Series is launched, almost identical in appearance to
the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. It features a one-piece body,
independent suspension and disc brakes. A two-door version follows
six months later.
1967
September
A drophead coupé version joins the Bentley T Series line-up.
1968
October
The London Motor Show displays a special Pininfarina-styled T Series
coupé.
1970
July
The V8 engine is re-engineered to increase capacity to 6.75 litres –
the size it has remained to this day.
1971
March
Both the Bentley T Series and Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow two-door
saloon and drophead models are renamed Corniche.
August
W.O. Bentley dies. He was 82.
1977
February
The four-door Bentley T2 is announced, priced at £22,800 – the same
as its Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II equivalent.
1980
October
Bentley’s Le Mans heritage is echoed in the name Mulsanne, given to
the new development of the T Series. It is a bigger car inside and
out and benefits from a new rear suspension design.
1982
March
The high-performance Bentley Mulsanne Turbo is announced, capable of
nought to 60mph acceleration in seven seconds and a 135mph top
speed.
1984
June
The Bentley Corniche is renamed the Continental and the Bentley
Eight is launched, distinguished by a mesh front grille.
1985
May
The legendary Bentley Mulsanne Turbo R is launched, the fastest
road-going Bentley yet.
1987
October
The Bentley Mulsanne S is introduced. All Bentley models now
incorporate anti-lock brakes.
1991
March
Unveiling of the Bentley Continental R, the first Bentley model with
its own, dedicated body since the 1954 R-Type Continental.
1992
September
The Mulsanne S and Eight make way for the new Bentley Brooklands.
1993
January
All Bentleys built in 1993 carry the ‘flying B’ badge with a green
background to celebrate the 50 years since Rolls-Royce acquired
Bentley Motors.
1994
March
The Bentley Java is one of the stars of the Geneva Motor Show, a
two-door concept car based on BMW 5-Series underpinnings.
August
The Bentley range is extended with the Turbo S and Continental S
versions. Enjoying a substantial increase in power, they are able to
move from rest to 60mph in less than six seconds.
December
Rolls-Royce reaches agreement with BMW for future engine supply for
Rolls-Royce and Bentley models.
1995
March
The Pininfarina-designed Bentley Azure convertible is announced.
1996
March
The 400bhp Bentley Continental T becomes the marque’s most powerful
road car. The Bentley Turbo R Sport is introduced at the same time.
1998
April
The Bentley Arnage is announced. Sharing the same body as the
Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, it is powered by a BMW V8
twin-turbocharged engine.
July
Volkswagen AG completes the purchase of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for
almost £480 million. BMW buys the rights to the Rolls-Royce name and
it is announced that from midnight on 31 December 2002 Bentley and
Rolls-Royce will be separate companies once again, after 67 years
together.
October
Volkswagen AG announces it is to invest £500 million in the Bentley
marque, its Crewe factory and the building of an all-new Bentley.
1999
March
The Bentley Hunaudieres – a mid-engined concept car is unveiled at
the Geneva Motor Show, fitted with Volkswagen’s radical eight-litre
W16 engine.
September
The Bentley Arnage Red Label is launched, marking the return of the
6.75-litre V8 engine to the range.
2000
November
Bentley announces it is to return to competition at Le Mans.
2001
January
The Bentley EXP Speed 8 race car is presented at the Detroit Motor
Show.
June
Bentley enters two EXP Speed 8s at Le Mans. The team of Andy
Wallace, Eric van de Poele and Butch Leitzinger finishes third,
bringing Bentley back to the podium for the first time in 71 years.
December
Bentley announces it will build the new State Limousine, to be
presented by the British motor industry to The Queen to mark her
golden jubilee in 2002. It will be the first Bentley to be used for
state occasions.
2002
January
The Detroit Motor Show hosts the debut of the 450bhp Bentley Arnage
T. The first model in the Arnage Series Two range, it is the world’s
fastest four door production saloon and the most powerful road-going
Bentley yet.
March
The Geneva Motor Show introduces the Bentley Arnage R. Bentley
begins a teaser campaign building up to the launch of its all-new
model with silhouette images of the Continental GT.
June
First design details of the Bentley Continental GT are released, the
most important new Bentley since the original 3-litre of 1919. A
single Bentley is entered at Le Mans and finishes the race in fourth
place.
September
The company is once more known by its original name: Bentley Motors.
The Continental GT name is confirmed and the car, a design concept
model, makes its world debut at the Paris Motor Show and earns huge
critical acclaim.
October
The Continental GT’s UK debut at the British International Motor
Show earns it the Car of the Show and the Luxury Car awards from the
Institute of Vehicle Engineers.
2003
January
Continental & Azure Final Series announced in Detroit.
February
Continental GT wins Detroit Auto Show Design Awards.
March
Bentley enters first race in USA since 1922. Third place.
May
Le Mans test weekend – 1st and 3rd quickest.
June
Bentley 1st & 2nd at Le Mans.
CGT makes dynamic debut at Le Mans.
2003 Le Mans winners recreate 1927 celebratory dinner.
July
CGT/Speed 8 at Goodwood.
October
Bentley announces that they will not return to Le Mans.
November
CGT is awarded L’Automobile piu bella del Monda (The most beautiful
car in the world).
2004
January
Arnage T24/RL by Mulliner at Detroit.
CGT named car of the year by Robb Report.
February
CGT is dream machine – Motor Week.
March
2005 MY Arnage is launched at Geneva Motor Show. Bentley Limousine.
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