Walter Owen Bentley

WALTER OWEN BENTLEY d1971. English engineer who founded Bentley Motors Limited in London, simply known as "W.O". He was a motorcycle and car racer as young man. After making a name for himself as a designer of aircraft and automobile engines, he established his own firm in 1919. He built the firm into one of the world's premier luxury and performance auto manufacturers and led the marque to multiple victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After selling his namesake company to Rolls-Royce in 1931, he was later employed as a designer for Lagonda / Aston Martin and Armstrong-Siddeley. He died in Surrey aged 82 on August 13th 1971