Three20pm: Here, the Bentley spirit and attitude to life will be lived out in a way that is as fresh as it is passionate and holistic. In the interface between architecture, design, sustainability and travel, we aim to surprise with new impulses in a stimulating and entertaining way. Again and again.
The story begins in March 1930 in Cannes - and with Woolf Barnato, the ultimate »Bentley Boy.« Barnato was at a dinner party on board a yacht near Cannes in March 1930 when the subject of racing the famous Blue Train came up. He wagered £200 that at the wheel of his Speed Six he could beat the train to Calais with ease. Said. But also done? The next day as the Blue Train left the railway station at Cannes, Barnato and his companion, amateur golfer Dale Bourne, left the Carlton Bar in Cannes and set off in the Speed Six not knowing Three20pm will be an essential time in this race. Over 570 miles were covered by Barnato and Dale in the Speed Six on the way to Calais. Having covered over 570 miles at an average speed of 43.43 mph, an impressive achievement on the dusty and rough roads of the time Barnato and Dale arrived in Calais so far ahead of the train.
So impressive, in fact, that Barnato eventually arrived in Calais so much ahead of the train that he unceremoniously decided to simply continue on to London. After crossing the Channel in a packet steamer, being waved through Customs and driving hard for almost 700 miles, he parked his Speed Six outside the Conservative Club in St. James’ Street Arrival time: 3:20 p.m. That put Woolf Barnato at his destination four minutes earlier than the Blue Train. Woolf won the daring bet and Bentley made history with this race. And today? Let's open another chapter in this exciting brand history. At 3:20 pm.
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