Bristol Cars Ltd.

If you ever happen to take a walk down the Kensington High street in London, you will the see the show room of London’s most iconic car manufacturer, The Bristol cars. They are the manufacturer of hand – built luxury cars which are being produced since the last 60years. Bristol Cars has no distributors or dealers and they have been directly dealing to its customers via its showroom which is in Kensington, London. The productions of Bristol cars are in extremely small number, which is estimated to be around 150 cars per year. These cars are of high quality and are designed to be reliable and for effective daily transportation.

During the two world wars, the Bristol firm used to manufacture large number of successful aircrafts which included the Bristol fighter, Bristol Blenheim and the Bristol Beau fighter. At the time when world war two was about to end, Bristol firm were faced with need to find an alternative products until new areoplane market came up. So a decision to move into car market was made. Consequently a new car division was made and remarkably in such less time they were ready for series production. By 1946 autumn, Bristol carried out road test for their Type 400 saloon. In a short span of time Bristol gained a good reputation among other international motoring companies and had set new standards for performance, comfort and economy.

Later in 1960 Sir George White and Mr. Anthony Crook established a new company – Bristol Cars Limited.

The Bristol cars which were equipped with Bristol engines were as follows:

• The type 400 was closely followed by Type 401, Type 402 coupe and Type 403 saloon. Type 400 was a four seater while Type 401 and 403 were five seaters.
• In 1953, Type 404 was introduced with a smaller chassis. It was of a totally new body form with no trace of BMW origin.
• In the year 1955 Bristol introduced the Type 405 saloon and the 405 drophead. The Type 405 saloon was the only Bristol with four doors. The two door 405 drophead convertible had a body fitted by E.D. Abbott.
• The final Bristol model with a filton design was the Type 406, powered by a 2 litre engine. Its production included of 6 special bodied saloons and 1 coupe.

After Type 406 all other cars were powered by Chrysler V8 engines starting from 5,130cc with a torque lift automatic gearbox.

• Chrysler-engined models began in 1961with the Type 407, apart from the gear box and the engine, it looked similar to Type 406.
• In the year 1964 Bristol came up with Type 408 and two years later it was followed by Type 409, itself followed by Type 410 in the year 1967.
• After these came the Type 411, which was claimed to be “The fastest true four seater touring car”, with an engine of 6,277cc capacity and maximum speed of 140mph. It had set new standards for the one who seeks speed and comfort.
• In 1975 appeared the Type 412, a watershed outward appearance with a convertible body style. These model were to be developed into two versions of the second series, the American model was called the 412 USA and the UK car being called the Bristol Beaufighter.

The Type 603 was launched in 1976 which was made a luxurious four seater that went with the typical tradition of the company and for what the Bristol Cars is known for.

The Type 603 evolved into the Bristol Britannia which was a magnificent saloon and was accompanied with the Bristol Brigand a more powerful version fitted with a turbocharged engine.

In 1994, Bristol Blenheim was introduced which was continued to be manufactured till late 1997. In 1997, The Bristol Blenheim 2 was launched which was powered with a computerized direct fuel injection system with a Chrysler 5.9 litre V8 engine.

Most recently the Bristol Cars Limited announced the Fighter T, powered with v10 engine producing 1,012 bhp and 1,405 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. Bristol claims that Fighter T’s maximum speed can go upto 270 mph however it will be electronically be limited to a 225mph. The first production car was delivered in 2007.

- Ashish Chandra

Tags: bristol, bristol blenheim, bristol brigand, bristol britannia, bristol cars, bristol cars limited, bristol cars ltd, bristol model, the bristol blenheim 2, the bristol cars, the bristol frim, the fighter t, type 400, type 401, type 402, type 403, type 404, type 405, type 406, type 407, type 408, type 409, type 410, type 412, type 603

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