Walter Owen Bentley (1888 - 1971), "W. O." to his friends, founded Bentley Motors Limited. The first Bentley was designed in 1919 and built in New Street Mews, the site of the plaques. It took just nine months to produce. The chassis for the first model (3 litres) was exhibited at the London Motor Show in October 1919. By December it had a working engine.
However the mews premises were far too small for any kind of larger scale production. A plot of land was bought in Oxgate Lane, Cricklewood, the first building was erected here in 1920 and in September 1921 the first car was sold.
Wealthy financier and Bentley racer, Woolf Barnato, bought the company in 1926.
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