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The Bentley “Flying-B” logo tells an exciting story
Have you ever noticed that the Bentley logo has a different number of feathers on each side? No, then today we want to bring you a little closer to the story behind the Bentley logo.
Very early Bentley cars didn't even have an emblem on the bonnet. It was not until shortly after the First World War, in 1919, that the English artist F. Gordon Crosby designed the logo for company founder WO Bentley.
Bentley's asymmetrical logo
Basically, Bentley's logo, the "Flat Winged B", seems symmetrical at first glance. If you take a closer look at the emblem, you can see that both wings have a different number of feathers. This little feature should help detect any fakes.
The wings represent the feathers of the falcon. And so Crosby tried to include Egyptian mythology in the design of the logo. Many of the Egyptian deities Ra for the sun, Khons for the moon and Horus for the sky appeared in the form of a falcon.
In the emblem, the number of individual feathers on the left and right wings differs. There are some emblems on the Bentley models that show the spring distribution as 10 on the left and 11 on the right. Other emblems, on the other hand, show 13 on the left and 14 on the right. The asymmetrical representation often occurs in racing vehicles. This is said to bring luck to the racer on his journey.
The role of the British royal family
The British royal family also played a crucial role in Bentley's history. Because the Queen had to make the decision whether Rolls-Royce or Bentley was allowed to act as the royal fleet outfitter. Apparently she chose Bentley because Bentleys have always been built in Crewe, UK. For the Queen “very British”, at least more British than the BMW Rolls-Royce.
But if you take a closer look, you know that both Rolls-Royce and Bentleys were manufactured in Crewe from 1998 to 2002.
Bentley logo in different colors
[dropcap size=big]B[/dropcap]The flat-winged badge has appeared in a variety of colors over the last 100 years. Originally in red, then green, blue and black. The flat B remains a well-known trademark for “special” automobiles to this day.In the early 1930s, the upright Flying B first appeared on an 8-litre Bentley. It was designed by Charles Sykes. Here the wings look the same on both sides. Car emblems were not particularly popular at the time. Bentley even wanted to do without the "Flying B" altogether. This is how the standing B shows up on the Bentley Flying Spur models.
Readers should create new design of Flying-B
A competition was held in 1935, inviting readers of The Autocar magazine to submit their own designs for a replacement. The price was not insignificant as it was £50. But none of the submitted ideas turned out to be suitable for a new logo. Two readers received consolation prizes of £25 each. But none of the designs made it into reality.
To date, both logos have survived Bentley's strike list. Luckily, they have been symbols of one of the world's most luxurious British car brands for over 100 years.
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