British Car Legends - Bentleys Celebrities and More!
The mere mention of the name Bentley instantly unlocks images of elegance, exclusivity and the elite. Bentley owners tend to fit the same description. From rock stars, to sultans, to famous sports stars, the exclusively rich and, yes, even the Queen of England. The Bentley is world-renowned for its workmanship.
Every car hand built. Every car exclusive in the pinpoint craftsmanship that goes into being a rolling Picasso.
At the extreme is Barbie Doll Pink for Paris Hilton’s newest creation or John Lennon’s famous psychedelic paintwork and then on the other end of the spectrum is the more serene and sedate. Regardless, all these decades later Bentley continues to reign as one of the most sought after cars. To say that Bentley is a car is the same as saying Sinatra was just a singer.
Perhaps the category of "supercar" no longer may pertain to Bentley and the name of supercar belong more to the Enzo, Murcielago, GT-2R or even a Spyker. Bentley remains in its own lane where the air is certainly rare.
Yet, like the “new Supercars” Bentley’s heritage was born out of racing. Bentley was one of the first innovators and was duly noted as one of the first "supercars". According to Wikipedia, "An advertisement for the Ensign Six, a 6.7 L (~409 cu in) high-performance car similar to the Bentley Speed Six, appeared in The Times for 11 November 1920 with the phrase "If you are interested in a supercar, you cannot afford to ignore the claims of the Ensign 6."
Bentley is a world-renowned British car manufacturer more formally referred to as Bentley Motors Limited. It was founded in 1919 by a pioneer in transportation by the name of Walter Owen Bentley (best known as W.O. Bentley or just "W.O.").
The Beautiful Bentley Automobile - A Work of Art
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeInterestingly, WO Bentley started out in aeronatics and locomotives. Bentley was known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later versions of the Sopwith Camel. In 1998, the Volkswagen Group of Germany bought the badge and took over ownership. The cars are "super cars", retailing in the range of $200,000 with a famous name attached to many if not most Bentley owners!
Journey with us as we share photos including the Barbie Doll Pink customized Bentley commissioned by Paris Hilton. Take our poll and vote which Paris Hilton car your prefer. And of course, watch the great videos of Bentleys in action and also Paris and her Bentley escapades from running out of gas to modeling pink with pink with pink - Barbie would be proud of her choice of colors!
Bentley is the Finest Coachbuilding Company in the World - A "Mulliner"
What is a Mulliner? A Mulliner is a family name of coach builders whose name has become synonymous with handcrafted excellence - "a personal commissioner" - a custom piece of art with wheels. The name can be traced back to the 16th century and started with "saddlers and carriers". The craftsman of the Mulliner today are denoted as copper smiths, electronics specialists, cabinetmakers - all working toward one goal - personalization of the handcrafted motor coach.
Common accouterments from the Mulliner at Bentley in include a tiny detail of an embroidered personal design on the seat (such as Paris Hilton's), a refrigerator, extended wheelbase or in the Queen of England's case, a change to incorporate the door with the roof line so she could exit standing comfortably.
The Arnage is reported on the website as 90% personalized with the quote: " it's little wonder that an Arnage owner once exclaimed that it was ‘like having your own private car company’".
The SuperCars.org
Models
As the Bentley Motors website best describes these various models:
Azure
Azure - the inspiration is classic,the details cutting edge
Azure T - the most exclusive luxury 4-seat convertible
Arnage
Arnage - understated power and the finest tradition of British coach building. The end of an era.
Brooklands
Grand touring coupe with classic British proportions.
Continental Flying Spur
Spacious 4-door grand tourer with uncompromising driving power.
Continental GT/GTC and the GTC Speed
Phenomenal power, uncompromising refinement
Continental Supersport
A Muscular supercar.
Mulsanne
Mulsanne - the new flagship - large, fast and refined.
Bentley Arnage
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeBentley in Books - Ian Fleming - James Bond in a Bentley!
The James Bond character was developed by Ian Fleming. Last year, I have the privilege of seeing some of the James Bond cars and boats displayed by the Ian Fleming Foundation. In the books, Ian Fleming has the James Bond character driving a Bentley! Of course, in the movies, the car of choice is the sporty Aston Martins.
Customized Bentleys - Some - The Barbie Doll Way - See Paris Hilton Below
In an article written by Tom Sangers of EzineArticles.com, he details that the Queen of England wanted or rather probably needed the roof and the door to be connected so that she could stand and then gracefully exit her Bentley - and that is the type of service that Bently delivers - customized to the client's need.
Pink on Pink on Pink - Truly Customized - Barbie Bentley
For Paris Hilton, she had a simply gorgeous Bentley before (see photos below) but she designed what I would term "a pink upon pink upon pink" Bentley that Barbie herself would have designed! The colors all match, the workmanship is beyond compare but wow - what a statement that pink makes! It is even too much for this female! Sorry Paris - I normally what you do but that car is not you!
Barbie Bentley - Paris Hilton Style
"As for her choice of car and its color, "I think when you're a little girl and you have the Barbie Corvette you're like, 'I wish I had a car like this one'. So I think [it's] just being a fan of Barbie for so long," she says.
Pink is Not New - Vintage Bentley in PInk
Bentleys are more often customized perhaps than many other super cars. Interestingly, Paris Hilton's pink is not a new item - check out the vintage Bentley in pink! Perhaps Mary Kay copied this customized design!
The Psychedelic Paintwork - British Elegance Gone Astray?
The psychedelic paintwork on a Bentley is almost surreal - Picasso-like perhaps to some - to others less than a favorable review - you be the judge - check it out with photo provided below!
Bentley in Fun Colors and Extensive Paint Designs
W. O. Bentley
Walter Owen Bentley - "WO"
WO Bentley (September 16, 1888 – August 2,1971) was one of 11 children. He first started working as an apprentice for the Great Northern Railway as his vocation and for his advocation he was racing motorcycles. In 1910, at the age of 22, he and his brother bought a company that imported French car products. Bentley was an innovator and is credited with upgrading engines for racing. He was noted for being one of the first to use aluminum pistons for the car engine - making it lighter and ultimately a faster machine.
His engineering skills were put to good use during World War I providing part for airplane engines. Bentley turned the corner, took the funds from building airplane parts and started Bentley Motors.
For more detailed history of Bentley Motors, check out Benjafields Racing Club of United Kingdom
Bentley - Great Cars
Saloon Bentley on VSCC Herefordshire Trial
"Bentley of the Seas"
Roger Moore launches the "Bentley of the Seas"
A beautiful mahogany boat built by the Swedish boat maker named J Craft's has launched a boat called the J Carft Torpedo that was shown at the Monaco yacht Show that has the esteemed nick name - the "Bentley of the Seas". Ironically, Roger Moore or perhaps to be perfectly correct, Sir Roger George Moore, born October 14, 1927 helped with the introduction to the boating community. Roger Moore is the actor who played James Bond in over 7 James Bond movies from 1973 to 1985.
Just like the super car, this super boat is beauty plus strength. The 42 foot motorboat includes exquisite detailing from the "eco-friendly deck that is lacquered 18 times" to the stitching on the leather upholstery to a complete line of silver cutlery designed by the royal highness of Sweden - HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden.
Paris Hilton - Pre-Barbie Doll Pink and Post Barbie Doll Pink
Which one do you like better?
Paris Hilton in Her Bentley
Paris Hilton and Her Summer Car - Check Out the Amount of Cameras!
Paris Hilton and Her Pink Bentley
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeParis Hilton's Present to Herself - Pink Bentley
Bentley - Epitome of British Elegance
The Bentley is undeniably the epitome of British elegance. The heritage of the fine craftsmanship and inventiveness continues even today. Where else in the world could one car appeal to so many different elite celebrities, families of power and influence and heads of state? The Bentley offers it all - Barbie Pink, Beatles exuberance, rapper joy, royal elegance and more!
British Auto Legends
© 2010 Ken Kline