Mystery Bristol
Discussion
Does anyone know anything about this Bristol?
What I've been able to glean so far is that it's a 1952 401 chassis which received this body after an accident. The name David Creed is associated with it although it's unclear whether he was the commissioner of the work or the coachbuilder. (He had a tuning business in Sheherds Bush) Not taxed or MOT'd.
Any info, pictures int/ext gratefully received.
What I've been able to glean so far is that it's a 1952 401 chassis which received this body after an accident. The name David Creed is associated with it although it's unclear whether he was the commissioner of the work or the coachbuilder. (He had a tuning business in Sheherds Bush) Not taxed or MOT'd.
Any info, pictures int/ext gratefully received.
Yes, it is the Creed 401.
The car first came to the attention of the Bristol Owners Club when it showed up at the Bristol Day and Concours in 1976, Eric Storey of Bristol Cars describing it as a "self-propelled enormity... the car is obviously a rebuild, presumably following a disaster of considerable magnitude to its original shapeliness."
According to Balfour's book on Bristol Cars it ran into a brick lorry early on in its life and was rebodied at some point thereafter by David Creed of Shepherds Bush. It is an aluminium over steel frame body in the manner of the original, latterly maroon (with red trim) though possibly it has been both blue and cream at earlier points in its life.
The only other pic to the above I can find is this one from the Autumn 1976 BOC Bulletin:
According to the club registry the car does survive, though is not on the road currently.
The car first came to the attention of the Bristol Owners Club when it showed up at the Bristol Day and Concours in 1976, Eric Storey of Bristol Cars describing it as a "self-propelled enormity... the car is obviously a rebuild, presumably following a disaster of considerable magnitude to its original shapeliness."
According to Balfour's book on Bristol Cars it ran into a brick lorry early on in its life and was rebodied at some point thereafter by David Creed of Shepherds Bush. It is an aluminium over steel frame body in the manner of the original, latterly maroon (with red trim) though possibly it has been both blue and cream at earlier points in its life.
The only other pic to the above I can find is this one from the Autumn 1976 BOC Bulletin:
According to the club registry the car does survive, though is not on the road currently.
Thank you both for the info and pictures.
An intriguing but flawed attempt to make a Bristol version of the Bentley R’Type Continental?
I’m fascinated by the concept of the one-off touring/gt car like this, the Imhof Allard and the Gooda Bentley.
I wonder if there are any more out there?
I’ve never heard of David Creed of Shepherds Bush and the only reference I can find to him is as ‘a tuning specialist’ which sounds an unlikely leap in coachbuilding.
Does anyone have anymore pointers on the man so I can look into anything else he did?
Thanks again for the contributions.
An intriguing but flawed attempt to make a Bristol version of the Bentley R’Type Continental?
I’m fascinated by the concept of the one-off touring/gt car like this, the Imhof Allard and the Gooda Bentley.
I wonder if there are any more out there?
I’ve never heard of David Creed of Shepherds Bush and the only reference I can find to him is as ‘a tuning specialist’ which sounds an unlikely leap in coachbuilding.
Does anyone have anymore pointers on the man so I can look into anything else he did?
Thanks again for the contributions.
I had a feeling I had seen this somewhere. A little googling found a story called Bran May and his Bristols on the JEL450.com website. The car is pictured in one of Brian May’s poly tunnels, sadly looking a little derelict.
[url] https://jel450.com/brian-and-his-love-of-bristols-... [url/]
Jon
[url] https://jel450.com/brian-and-his-love-of-bristols-... [url/]
Jon
Brian May sadly passed away earlier this year. Presumably his collection will come to market in the fullness of time.
I think there used to be quite a concentration of coach builders in the West London area, so its possible Creed had previous body building experience, or knew someone who did. Many Bristol bodies were in fact built by Park Royal Vehicles, so this 401 was not the only Bristol bodied in the area.
I think there used to be quite a concentration of coach builders in the West London area, so its possible Creed had previous body building experience, or knew someone who did. Many Bristol bodies were in fact built by Park Royal Vehicles, so this 401 was not the only Bristol bodied in the area.
Thanks all and to Jon for the car’s picture at the late Brian May's.
It looks as it’s being parted out which if true is a sad end for a bold experiment.
I’m still after other info a pictures particularly the interior.
Edit: This is Alfa101's picture showing the car (2nd from the right) looking terminal. Another brave attempt vanished but understandable when the engines are so expensive (20k?) and other parts no longer made.
It looks as it’s being parted out which if true is a sad end for a bold experiment.
I’m still after other info a pictures particularly the interior.
Edit: This is Alfa101's picture showing the car (2nd from the right) looking terminal. Another brave attempt vanished but understandable when the engines are so expensive (20k?) and other parts no longer made.
Edited by BNW on Monday 26th October 09:42
Given it was parked up in a Poly Tunnel it may have had a brighter future than as a 'parts car; Brian May had a couple of interesting special bodied cars, incluing one by Swiss Coachbuilder Beuttler, and at least one Superleggera car by Touring. These have survived i believe, albeit are more elegant than Mr Creed's creation.
Shame Brian has passed away. Years ago he helped my father out with various parts and i won't forget the visits to his premises near Birmingham.
Jon
Shame Brian has passed away. Years ago he helped my father out with various parts and i won't forget the visits to his premises near Birmingham.
Jon
Anoymously101 said:
The mystery Bristol survives and is for sale. See Bristolsbristolsbristols.co.uk It's on the 401/3 page. It looks like a decent project for someone.
Some other interesting cars for sale too including a Touring Superleggera 401 and a Beuttler bodied car.
Jon
I did quite a few deals with the owner of that collection over the years. A proper old school character. He died recently and I hadn't been to his place for a good few years and it had obviously got a bit too much for him as the place, whilst it was always a bit ramshackle was in much better nick.Some other interesting cars for sale too including a Touring Superleggera 401 and a Beuttler bodied car.
Jon
I can probably say this now Bristol are properly defunct but they actually used to buy parts off him.
This is coming up for no reserve auction next month. Body is restored, just needs an interior made and some running gear sourcing...
https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5404/lot/61...
https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5404/lot/61...
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