The Bentley Boys

3rd November 2022 The Bentley Boys – Bruce Frame

 Prior to Bruce’s presentation, President Rob inducted a new Member, Chris Scholey

The Bentley Boys were a group of wealthy British motorists who drove Bentley sports cars to victory in the 1920s/30s and kept the marque's reputation for high performance alive.

The Bentley Boys included John Duff a Canadian, Frank Clement the Bentley test driver, Woolf Barnato a multi-millionaire playboy heir to the Kimberley Diamond fortune, Dudley Benjafield a Harley Street GP, Glen Kidston a proven aviator, S.C.H. “Sammy” Davis automotive journalist and Sports editor of Autocar, Jean Chassagne a French racing driver, George Duller a steeplechaser, 3^rd Baronet Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin of local Lace manufacturing family and finally Walter Owen Bentley or “WO” who had previously worked for Humber on Aero design.

WO produced his first engine in 1919, progressing to the 3 litre Tourer in 1921 at a price of £1050, equivalent today to £50k plus £25k for the body which was separately built.

In 1923 The Grand Prix Endurance was launched close to the village of Le Mans, where Bentley finished 4^th having had a stone damage the petrol tank. In 1924 they won the race with the backing of WO, then entering 2 cars in 1925 and 26 without success.  Dr. Dudley meanwhile set ‘time and distance’ records, but Bentley were starting to decline, so called on Woolf Barnato to become Chairman and bring his financial support and going on to gain 4 consecutive victories from 1927 t0 1930..  The 6.5 litre Bentley Speed Six became known by their competitors (Bugatti) as “The World’s fastest lorries!”  A great deal of Barnato’s fortune went to keeping Bentley afloat, but the Great Depression destroyed demand for the company's expensive products, and it was finally sold off to Rolls-Royce in 1931.

They began to try and increase the speed by developing ‘superchargers’, introducing The Bentley Blower, which set speed record at 135mph

Naturally the cars have produced some interesting Auction prices in recent years: The current Bentley Continental GT selling for £175k, but when Tim Birkin’s No.1 Model came to auction it raised £7m.

A number of questions followed from our enthusiastic members which Bruce fielded and Barry thanked Bruce for his informative and comprehensive presentation and the members responded in the usual manner.

AR