Nigel H

I've always been curious about Bristols ever since I read Car and the articles in it by LJKS. He used to rave about how good they were, and I'm pretty sure he knew what he was on about. But....how can a company as small as that turn out a car so good? Or did they spend all the money on the engineering and none on the styling?

Whenever I look at Autotrader I see if there any for sale. I'm pulled towards a 603/612.

Any body owned one? *Are* they any good

brickboy

The 60s ones (408 / 409 etc) are very nice, and with a 383 ci V8 & torqueflite box you get 60 in under 7s and 100 in about 16, plus all the mid-range you need.

This place specialises in them: http://www.classiccarshop.co.uk/Cars...l_408_mk_i.htm

http://www.classiccarshop.co.uk/Cars..._409_coupe.htm

Brendan Hughes

Yup, lovely pair of Bristols.

Shark Man

Well, somebody had to say it

Brendan Hughes

I know, I think it was a put-up job.


I'll get my coat...

Pumpkin

The later ones are curious - I've had a Brigand in the workshops as well as a couple of the 400 series. The early ones are nice, the late ones have less appeal - obviously mammoth straight line performance, but let down round corners, and the interior design / detailing (not quality) is not befitting a £ 100,000 when new car.

jonnyrex

I can remember trying to catch a pigeon at the factory up in patchway,(setting of the alarm)5 year ago..,Dam thing was flying from one end to the other,Very interersting place ,full of wooden jig type thing to bend the wings etc around..There was a new dodge viper in bits if i remember ..There was a old guy ,must of been in his eighty,s how took the new one,s out up the M5 about 4am for a blast to test drive them...

2000TLondon

Wonderful cars, Vauxhall Carlton rear light panels if I remember on many of their models! A good rummage through the GM parts bin in general, actually!

I'd love one, think a great uncle of mine had one in the 70's along with an Aston, but never got to meet the bloke, or drive his cars!