Bearing Bentley’s history

Is this the oldest Bentley in Scotland? Philippa Gerrard went on a trip down memory lane to find out

Born in 1888 as the youngest of nine siblings, Walter Owen Bentley – who preferred to be called WO – was destined for a life in motion.

At the age of nine he was dismantling bicycles to see how they worked, and by 16 had an apprenticeship on the railways hurling coal into the firebox to keep the pressure up.

But he soon left life on the tracks behind and went into business with his brother, importing French cars made by Doriot, Flandrin & Parant (DFP).

On a visit to their offices in France, WO discovered a paperweight made of aluminium and wondered whether this lightweight material would be suitable for use in cars.

His curiosity paid off, as he created new lightweight pistons which enabled him to set a new 89.7 mph record for a flying mile.

When the First World War broke out, WO used this knowledge to his advantage.

As a captain in the Royal Naval Air Service, he used his aluminium pistons to create an engine for fighter aircraft that was significantly more powerful and reliable than previous versions.

The first Bentley Rotary engine, the BR 1, became the most successful British fighter aircraft of the war.

Back on land, WO was rewarded with an MBE and £8,000, giving him the capital he needed to start his own car company. And so, on July 10 1919, Bentley Motors was born.

Though the firm has changed hands several times since then, 2019 marks 100 years of the esteemed brand and Bentley enthusiasts around the UK have been inspired to look back on the history of their own cars.

Ian Murray, from Elgin, has been driving a Bentley 3-4 1/2 litre for the last 20 years – though technically it only became his in February of this year.

“It originally belonged to a family friend who is in his 80s now,” Ian explained.

“His name is John Fry and I used to drive him to different events and such in it.

“It’s a great old thing and had been in John’s family for 86 years after his father, Jack Fry, bought it in 1933.”

Jack owned it from 1933 until 1970, at which time John inherited it. As old age approached, John decided to sign the car over to his own son, Benjamin.

“Ben doesn’t have much of an interest in the thing though,” said Ian.

“He lives in London with a young family and a mortgage… He just can’t give the car the attention it deserves.

“John wasn’t sure what to do with it, but he knew he certainly didn’t want it put on the open market.”

And John had good reason for being protective of his father’s precious car.

According to historical documentation, it was the 54th Bentley ever made and the 28th oldest surviving car today.

“We think it’s the secondoldest Bentley in Scotland,” said Ian.

“All the chassis are numbered – this one being number 54 – so you can check quite easily.

“Chassis number 45 is owned by a friend of mine in the Borders.

“It makes it even more special when you learn that

Photographs by Jason Hedges Ian Murray pictured at Pluscarden Abbey with his prized Bentley and dog Millie.

Ian Murray’s Bentley is the 54th ever made