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The History and Evolution of the Bentley Logo

Bentley Logo Evolution

Bentley is a British car company that builds high-performance luxury cars for the elite. It was founded by Walter Owen Bentley on July 10, 1919. Its logo happens to be a masterpiece of art and is mysterious to look at. The famed winged logo was designed by Frederick Gordon Crosby and continues to embody Bentley’s vision of speed, luxury, and performance. The article delves into the evolution of Bentley’s logo, among other details, over the years.

The Genesis of the Bentley Logo (1919 – Present)

The iconic winged Bentley logo was designed by Frederick Gordon Crosby in monochrome. It featured the capital letter “B” in white inside a horizontal oval with a black background. Interestingly, the gaps in the letter “B” gave the impression of two round dies or holes for valves. To the right and left of the oval were attached wings that symbolised the flight of the founder’s dream to produce high-performance racing cars.

Besides, the wings signified the high quality of the brand and the fact that it soared ahead of its competitors. The wings are connected at the top and bottom by thin arched strips. Interestingly, the number of feathers on the right and left wings is not necessarily the same. They are mostly in the ratio of 10:11 and 13:14 for different models of the cars.

Bentley Logo (1919 - Present)

The Elements of the Logo

Symbol

The Bentley logo prominently features a bold, winged “B”. It is an apt symbol for the elite, aspirational automotive brand. The wings conjure notions of flight and freedom and represent Bentley’s aviation origins. These also represent the exhilaration of driving one of these ultimate driving machines. But the wings also project an air of stateliness and success. They reflect the heritage and prestige associated with the Bentley name.

Situated on top of the sleek black letter, they evoke ideas of triumph and charisma. To some, this winged icon may seem ostentatious. Yet for loyal Bentley enthusiasts, the soaring wings aptly capture the magical, rarefied feeling of being behind the wheel. The logo’s symbolism is as lofty as Bentley’s principles and clientele. It promises an exceptional experience in which owners can transcend the ordinary and take flight.

Bentley Symbol

Font

The font of the Bentley logo has remained the same for almost a century, which sets it apart from many other iconic businesses. Bentley wants to emphasise its respect for heritage, which is why it chose to stick with the same font. The bold capital “B” for the Bentley brand is written in a special typeface that is only used for this purpose. Underneath the main logo, occasionally a sans-serif “Bentley” name may also be placed in full capital letters.

Colour

The colour selection for the Bentley logo has maintained consistency since the brand’s inception. It aligned seamlessly with its distinctive design. Nevertheless, diverse versions of the logo exist, depending on the context. The Bentley logo adopts classic colours such as black and white, with occasional silver hues in 3D. In the realm of colour psychology, white conveys purity, charm, creativity, and clarity, while black symbolises sophistication, elegance, and superiority. These qualities are synonymous with the essence of Bentley.

When silver makes an appearance in the Bentley logo, it serves as a symbol of modern design and British aristocracy. Over the years, standard Bentley vehicles and racing cars have occasionally embraced different colours. Notably, the oval nestled between the wings of a racing car might be adorned in green, while exclusive classic cars may showcase a red colour.

The History of Bentley

Bentley Motors was founded by Walter Owen Bentley (W.O. Bentley) on July 10, 1919, in Cricklewood, North London. The founder, W.O. Bentley, born in 1888, was passionate about engineering and had a vision to create “a fast car, a good car, the best in its class”. The first car, known as the EXP 1, was completed in 1919, which marked the beginning of Bentley’s legacy in automotive excellence.

The company quickly gained recognition for its performance and durability. By the early 1920s, Bentley cars were competing in prestigious events such as the 1922 Indianapolis 500, where they finished respectably despite fierce competition. The brand’s reputation grew with its remarkable success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it won five times between 1924 and 1930. This established Bentley as a formidable name in motorsport and luxury automobiles.

In 1931, Bentley faced financial difficulties and was acquired by Rolls-Royce for £125,275. The production moved to Derby, where it continued until 1940 to produce what are now referred to as the Derby Bentleys. During World War II, Bentley’s factory was repurposed to manufacture aircraft engines, especially the Merlin engine.

After Rolls-Royce went into receivership in 1971, the UK government nationalised it and subsequently split it into two entities: Rolls-Royce Plc for aerospace and Rolls-Royce Motors for automobiles. In 1998, Vickers sold Rolls-Royce Motors to Volkswagen AG, which included Bentley but not the Rolls-Royce name. Under the ownership of Volkswagen, Bentley underwent significant modernisation and investment and ramped up its production capabilities at the Crewe factory.

Since becoming part of Volkswagen, Bentley has introduced several iconic models, such as the Continental GT and the Bentley Bentayga, its first SUV launched in 2015. Also, the company celebrated its centenary in 2019, which reflected on a century of luxury automotive craftsmanship and performance. In recent years, Bentley has focused on sustainability with its Beyond100 strategy. It aims to lead in sustainable luxury mobility by moving towards electric vehicles while maintaining its reputation for high performance and luxury.

Interesting Facts About Bentley

  • W.O. Bentley began his career designing locomotives as a railway apprentice before founding Bentley Motors in 1919. His early passion for speed led him to race motorcycles for the factory team of Indian Motorcycles.   
  • While touring a French car factory, W.O. noticed an aluminium paperweight, which inspired him to create lightweight aluminium pistons for engines. These pistons later powered WWI fighter planes like the Sopwith Camel during the First World War. In fact, W.O. was awarded the MBE for his contributions to the British war effort.
  • A group of wealthy, adventurous racers in the 1920s, including the diamond heir Woolf Barnato, drove Bentleys to five Le Mans victories. Their exploits included outracing the French Blue Train from Cannes to London, a stunt that earned Barnato a fine but cemented the racing legacy of Bentley. These racers, belonging to a raucous group of wealthy British car enthusiasts and racing car drivers, came to be known as the Bentley Boys.   
  • After winning the 1927 Le Mans, the battered Bentley “Old No. 7” was parked at London’s Savoy Hotel for an 11-course victory feast. 
  • In 1931, Bentley went bankrupt in the aftermath of the Great Depression. It was secretly bought by Rolls-Royce through a shell company called the British Central Equitable Trust. For decades, Bentley models were rebadged as Rolls-Royces until Volkswagen’s takeover of the brand in 1998 revived the brand’s independence.
  • The iconic “Winged B” emblem has uneven feathers on each side to deter counterfeiters. 
  • In Ian Fleming’s novels, James Bond 007 drove a Bentley 4.5 Litre—not an Aston Martin. 
  • The Bentayga, the SUV, was adjudged the fastest SUV in the world after clocking a top speed of 190 mph.
  • Bentley offers $22,000 furniture collections and a Breitling clock worth $300,000 for the Bentayga SUV. They even designed a safe that winds your watch automatically. 
  • Although Bentley had withdrawn from racing in 1930, it came back with a bang under the ownership of Volkswagen in 2001. It debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the race in 2003.
  • In 2007, a Continental GT hit 200 mph on ice in Finland, a feat celebrated with a special Breitling watch for buyers of the limited-edition model.
  • Bentley retired its iconic W12 engine in 2024 and changed its focus to hybrids and EVs. The 2025 Continental GT Speed—a 771-hp plug-in hybrid—boasts a 50-mile electric range and 208 mph top speed. This earned the model the “Most Anticipated Vehicle” title from Newsweek. 
  • Bentley’s UK factory runs partly on solar power, and the brand aims to go fully electric by 2030 under its “Beyond100” plan.
  • In 2003, powered by the twin-turbocharged W12 engine, the Bentley Continental GT became the fastest production four-seater car in the world.
  • The interior of every Bentley car is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans at the Crewe factory in England. This is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the brand to quality.
  • Bentley cars are much sought after by the British Royal Family. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II used to ride in a bespoke Bentley State Limousine as her official car.
  • Bentley cars are also owned by famous people, such as Ian Fleming (author of James Bond), actor Clark Gable, and singer Jay-Z.

Finally

As we studied the history and evolution of Bentley’s logo, one thing became clear: the logo is more than just a symbol; it’s a reflection of Bentley’s journey through time. From the roaring 1920s to the technologically advanced 2020s, the “Winged B” has soared through decades, while embodying the perfect fusion of heritage and innovation. With Bentley continuing to redefine automotive luxury, one can’t help but be captivated by the timeless wings that have carried the brand through a century of excellence.

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