Bristol Cars - Chrysler engined - buying tips please!

[Felters]

I've had an urge for a V8 Bristol for some years and it's now starting to get serious...

There is a broker in Wiltshire that has a few and there seem to be a couple of other specialists (Brian May - not the fading rock legend). The owners club apparently have a meeting at Brooklands weekend after next so I'm going to have a look around there as well.

But I was hoping that someone here could point me in the right direction particularly in terms of things to look out for...

[ELAN+2]

rear chassis rails rot, engines are bullet proof and cheap to fix, as is trans(yankee auto).look out for alloy/steel corrosion on panels. Trim is ruinous to fix(about 2 1/2 herds of cow skin. The chassis rails are IIRC about £8K to sort correctly, give lance jones a call, or the factory who still look after/upgrade/restore etc any Bristol. Good choice in my opinion, I'd love a 411, less vulgar than a Jensen(love them too) and more subtle than a |Roller or Bentley IMO.

Hope this helps

Mark

[JakeR]

For a few years now, I have firmly believed that Bristols are the coolest cars on planet earth.

one day. one day...

[tog]

Felters said:

I've had an urge for a V8 Bristol for some years and it's now starting to get serious...

There is a broker in Wiltshire that has a few and there seem to be a couple of other specialists (Brian May - not the fading rock legend). The owners club apparently have a meeting at Brooklands weekend after next so I'm going to have a look around there as well.

But I was hoping that someone here could point me in the right direction particularly in terms of things to look out for...

As said, one problem can be the rear chassis outriggers which is expensive to fix correctly as it is fiddly and therefore time consuming, although not intrinsically difficult. A proper back to metal respray will be the thick end of £10k, and a retrim is not far off that either so good paint and leather is a bonus. Depending on what you're looking for in the car, don't worry too much about small areas of bubbling in the alloy where it meets the steel frame - they're all like that somewhere and it takes years for it get much worse. Common areas to go first are the front arches and along the top of the wing bays. Engine and running gear is pretty straightforward, and if properly serviced will last well. Look for a car that has had plenty of regular use and with lots of recent history, and don't neccessarily get too hung up on which model you want. I got my 410 becuase it was the best car available for the money at the time, though looked at 411s, a 412 and a 603 too. Values are comparable across all types, with only small differences for aequavalent condition cars. 411s are far more numerous of course so there are more likely to be found for sale. 603s (including Brigand and Britannia) are a bit more modern and so quieter and more comfortable. 412s are nice cars, but the looks are like Marmite - you do or you don't. The Zagato body is also prone to corrosion in the roll hoop which is very involved to fix.

Andrew Blow in Wiltshire is an honest chap and will not hide a car's faults from you. It's also worth getting any potential purchase inspected by someone who knows their Bristols. Spencer Lane-Jones in Warminster is very good and does all my 410's servicing, though Brian May in the Midlands and American Car Care in London also do a lot of Bristol work. Bristol Cars themselves also sell used cars - I drove past the showroom this morning and they had a 408 (I think - it could have been a 409) in bare metal, so if you're quick you may be able to choose what colour you want!

For more knowledge, there's two owners' club forums, both open to non-members, the Yahoo one and one run on boc.net too. I'll be at Brooklands this weekend, so come and say hi!

[Felters]

Thx Tog - sounds like Wiltshire is the place for Bristols... not sure that makes sense but anyway.

What colour is your car? What time will the cars be there?

Cheers
Mike

[Huntsman]

Top marks to you for the informative reply.

[tog]

Felters said:

Thx Tog - sounds like Wiltshire is the place for Bristols... not sure that makes sense but anyway.

What colour is your car? What time will the cars be there?

Cheers
Mike

It's dark blue, but sadly I rather extensively reshaped the front end with a lorry a couple of months ago so it's still off the road awaiting repair. I'll be in the Bitter instead probably. Cars should be arriving from 10.30 onwards I think, parked in the paddock area outside the clubhouse.

See you there!

Sam.