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| For owners and aficionados of Bristol cars. Car ownership is not a requirement: enthusiasm is enough! Manufactured by Bristol Aeroplane Company (Car Division) Ltd Bristol-engined models The Type 400 2 litre saloon was soon joined by the 401, from which in turn was derived the 402 Drophead Coupé and the 403 saloon. Of these, the 400 was a 4 seat saloon, while the 401 and 403 were 5-seaters. In 1953, the smaller short chassis 2+2 seat Type 404 broke fresh ground with a body from which all trace of BMW origins had disappeared. A hybrid was also constructed on this chassis: the Type 404/X or Arnolt Bristol, commissioned by S.H."Wacky" Arnolt in 1953. In 1955, the Type 405 saloon and 405 Drophead appeared. The 405 saloon was the only Bristol-bodied 4-door car. The 405 Drophead was a two-door convertible with a body fitted by E.D.Abbott of Farnham. The final model with a Filton-designed and built engine was the Type 406, with the original 2 litre engine design stretched to 2.2 litres. Production included 6 special-bodied saloons and one coupé; these were fitted with bodies by Zagato, the Italian Coachbuilder. All later production Bristols were to be fitted with Chrysler V8 engines of various capacities from 5,130cc upwards, together with the Torqueflite automatic gearbox. Over the past half century, production has not been huge. Small as it is, the company has survived because it fills a niche for those connoisseurs who value a superb car above mere price. |
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