In this article
The Bentley Boys were a group of wealthy British sportsmen who raced Bentleys in the 1920s and early 1930s, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930. Led by millionaire Woolf Barnato, they included Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin, Sammy Davis, Dr. Dudley Benjafield, Glen Kidston and others. Their daring driving, lavish lifestyles and the legendary 1927 crash at White House corner made them the stuff of motoring legend.
Who they were
| Name | Known for |
|---|---|
| Woolf Barnato | Three-time Le Mans winner; Bentley’s chairman and financier |
| Tim Birkin | Champion of the supercharged “Blower” Bentley |
| Sammy Davis | Journalist-racer; 1927 winner |
| Dudley Benjafield | Physician; 1927 winner |
| Glen Kidston | Aviator and adventurer; 1930 winner |
Le Mans victories
- 1924: John Duff and Frank Clement win in a 3 Litre.
- 1927: Benjafield and Davis win in the damaged “Old Number 7” after a multi-car crash.
- 1928: Barnato and Bernard Rubin in a 4½ Litre.
- 1929: Barnato and Birkin lead a Bentley 1-2-3-4 finish in the Speed Six.
- 1930: Barnato and Kidston in the Speed Six, Barnato’s third straight win.
The 1927 White House crash
At night during the 1927 race, several cars — including three Bentleys — crashed at the White House corner. Sammy Davis managed to extract his battered Bentley, “Old Number 7”, with a bent frame and damaged lights, and nursed it to the finish. With Benjafield, he won. The victory became one of the most famous in British motorsport.
The Blue Train race
In 1930, Woolf Barnato bet that he could drive from Cannes to his club in London faster than the famous Le Train Bleu express could reach Calais. Driving through the night, he arrived in London before the train reached the French coast. The car associated with the story became known as the “Blue Train Bentley”.
The end of an era
The Depression, the cost of racing and Bentley’s financial collapse ended the team’s run. Rolls-Royce bought Bentley in 1931, and the Bentley Boys’ era passed into legend. Bentley returned to Le Mans and won in 2003.
Legacy
Names like Mulsanne and the aesthetics of the modern Bentley — mesh grilles, knurled switches, motorsport-inspired details — draw on this period. Read the Bentley Mulsanne, the Blower Bentley and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who were the Bentley Boys?
Wealthy British amateur racers who drove Bentleys in the 1920s and early 1930s, including Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Sammy Davis, Dudley Benjafield and Glen Kidston.
How many Le Mans races did the Bentley Boys win?
Five: 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.
What was Old Number 7?
The Bentley 3 Litre that won Le Mans in 1927 despite being badly damaged in a crash during the night.
