1-193-210 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

WO Bentley in the driving seat of a Bentley car. He started out working with his brother Horace for the London agency of the French DFP cars. The Bentley brothers bought out the DFP agency's original owners, and renamed the business Bentley and Bentley. In 1919 he formed Bentley Motors Ltd. During the late 1920s Bentley achieved a set of record race wins that was not equalled until the 1950's by Jaguar and not beaten until the 1960's by Ferrari. By 1931 the depression hit the company badly and was forced into liquidation. It was taken over by Rolls-Royce Limited. WO Bentley worked with Rolls-Royce in an advisory capacity for some time to expand the market of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars throughout the world.