BENTLEY 4,5 LITER – year 1931

Manufacturer: Bentley Motors Ltd., Derby, Anglia.

Walter Owen Bentley is one of the greatest automotive designers of his time. Even his first invention could secure his existence for the rest of his life. He designed an engine with aluminum pistons, thus enabling the production of the best aircraft engines during World War I.. As a reward, Bentley was promoted to lieutenant. After the war, he rented a workshop, to start producing cars. The prototype of the model z 1919 r. had a 4-cylinder displacement engine 3 liters. The cylinders had two spark plugs and intake and exhaust valves.

Serial production was started only in 1922 r “The 3-liter model immediately became a hit in the car industry. The Bentley factory gave it a five-year warranty period. Unlike Rolls-Royce cars, this car was not entrusted to a chauffeur - the Bentleys were driven by people with sports ambitions.

Made of 3 liter type, of which Red Label is best known, many more models have been developed, such as: Green Label with shortened chassis and stronger and more massive Blue Label. Z 1600 of the copies produced, only survived to this day 500 pieces. The popular 3-liter Speed ​​Six is ​​transformed into a new type with a larger capacity - 4,5 liter. Its four-cylinder diameter engine 100 mm and piston stroke 140 mm had a capacity of cylinders 4398 cm3.

Walter Owen Bentley did not like experiments. He also did not try to produce comfortable cars. Its rule was large size, high power and solid workmanship. The development of his models shows, that he did not stop at the principles.

Despite the popularity of its models, the company was in financial trouble. The economic crisis forced Bentley to file for bankruptcy. He lost his factory and all his fortune, along with a private Bentley car. The debts were paid by Rolls-Royce, which also hired a former designer, but only as a seller of new models.