Jack Barclay History
The Jack Barclay Story
In the 1920’s Jack Barclay established a tradition for excellence, a tradition which remains true to this present day.
As a connoisseur of fine motor cars and an acclaimed racing driver, Jack Barclay formed a partnership and started trading in 1922 as Barclay & Wyse, selling Rolls-Royce and Vauxhall motor cars.
In 1927, after he had earned eight motor racing World Records in the International Three Litre Class, Jack Barclay Limited was founded. Initially the company was established in a fine headquarters at 12a George Street, opposite St. George’s Church in Hanover Square.
From the beginning Jack Barclay stressed the importance placed upon ‘service after sale’, a term which has become the hallmark of his business career. Much of his commercial success also stemmed from his natural ability as a salesman for, as early as 1929, the society press called him ‘the finest luxury motor car salesman in the country’.
In 1931 Bentley introduced the 3½ litre ‘Silent Sportscar’. This was indeed fortuitous since it ensured a continuing association between Jack Barclay Ltd and the marque. In January 1935, two years after the ‘Silent Sportscar’ had been on sale and the effects of the Depression had hardly eased, Jack Barclay received a letter from the Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Ltd. In it he confirmed that not only had Jack Barclay a greater turnover in Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars than any other appointed retailer, but that the results for 1934 represented an increase of 40% over those for the previous year. This is made all the more remarkable considering it happened during a time when many luxury car manufacturers in both Europe and America had been bankrupted by the recession.
It was 1953 when the company moved to the Berkeley Square showrooms and offices it occupies to the present day. In 1993 Jack Barclay opened a new, purpose built, 80,000 sq. ft. showroom and service site at Ponton Road, Nine Elms replacing the previous York Road facility. This is now known as The Jack Barclay Service Centre and is acknowledged as the largest Bentley (and Crewe build Rolls-Royce) service facility in the world. That same year Jack Barclay was appointed the sole global supplier of parts for pre 1955 Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars.
In September 2000 Jack Barclay Bentley was acquired by H.R.Owen Plc. for an undisclosed sum and continuing to promote the virtues of ‘service after sale. In 2005 Jack Barclay closed the doors of the Mayfair showroom after 52 years to prepare for major refurbishment works that would eventually take 11 months and over £2million. The showroom re-opened to considerable fanfare in November of that year. 2007 saw Jack Barclay celebrate 80 years in Mayfair and in 2008 once again became the world’s largest official Bentley retailer.
With the finest motor cars of yesterday, today and tomorrow, Jack Barclay Bentley is a company committed to offering legendary standards of service to a discerning clientele.
Jack Barclay Timeline
1900 February 7, London, the birth of John Donald Barclay, affectionately known as ‘Jack’
1922 Barclay & Wyse established, selling Rolls-Royce and Vauxhall motor cars and the term ‘Service after Sale’ was borne
1927 Jack Barclay Ltd established with two showrooms and a service centre in central London. Jack wins the inaugural 500 Miles Race at Brooklands in 4½ litre Bentley @ 107.33 mph. At the time the fastest motor race in the world 1935 Outgrowing the he original Conduit Street premises, Jack Barclay Ltd. Expands with the purchase of No. 13 George Street.
1945 Jack bought Gurney Nutting & Co Ltd, and the company carried out a major project to get back on the road all the Rolls-Royce & Bentley motor cars that were stored away during the War years
1953 The company moved to the present Berkeley Square showrooms
1958 Jack’s son Victor Barclay joins the business
1967 November, Jack retired and sold business to Dutton-Forshaw
1968 July 9, Jack died following a long illness
1977 Dutton-Forshaw sells Group to Lonrho.
1979 January 1, Victor Barclay became Managing Director
1987 The company celebrates its Diamond Jubilee
1993 The Jack Barclay Service Centre moves to a new purpose built 80,000 sq ft service centre at Ponton Road, Nine Elms. The business is appointed as the world’s only authorised distributor of parts for pre 1955 Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars.
2000 September, acquired by HR Owen Plc. for an undisclosed sum
2005 January, Jack Barclay closes the doors of the Mayfair showroom after 52 years to prepare for major refurbishment works. The showroom re-opened in November following an 11 month, £2 million refurbishment.
2007 Jack Barclay celebrates 80 years of Bentley sales and exemplary service.
2008 Jack Barclay celebrates an iconic motor car with the launch of the Arnage Final Series. This historic car celebrates 10 years of the Arnage, 50 years of its mighty V8 engine and 90 years of the Bentley marque.
2009 Jack Barclay launches two new additions to the Bentley line up with the introduction of the the Continental Supersports, the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever made and the first showing of the Bentley Mulsanne, a worthy successor to the mighty Arnage’s position as the iconic Bentley motor car.
2010 Continuing with a tradition of UK firsts, Jack Barclay launches the Continental Supersport Convertible to a select London audience at the famous ‘Night of Luxury’ lifestyle event in Berkeley square.
2011 Jack Barclay launches the New Continental GT