Bentley’s racing exploits in the 1920s have become part of motor racing folklore, and sporting success plus the extravagant lifestyles of the ‘Bentley Boys’ meant that the marque was never out of the public eye in the late 1920s.

However, the cars were expensive, and even a prestigious reputation cannot save a car company if customers stop buying them.

This is what befell Bentley; the Great Depression, beginning in 1929, meant that there were far fewer potential customers, and this, coupled to the expensive development of the new 8-Litre model, led the company to enter receivership in 1931.

An entity called the British Central Equitable Trust won the resulting sealed-bid auction, fending off a rival bid from Napier.

The British Central Equitable Trust turned out to be a front for Rolls-Royce – a fact that nobody, not even W.O Bentley himself – was aware of at the time.

With the purchase came Bentley’s showrooms and factory, as well as the services of W.O himself, although he would...