Bristol 400
Overview
| Produced: |
1947-1950, 474 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,2 doors,4 seats |
The Bristol aircraft factory was established in 1910. During World War II, the factory produced the famous Bristol Blenheim bombers. Towards the end of the war, the government advised the Bristol board to seek a different line to ensure peace-time employment for their workers.
The chief engineer, Roy Fadden was asked to investigate the potential of the car market and found openings there. The first Bristol could be seen driving on the winding country roads in 1944 but it took until 1947 before a Bristol went into production and was shown at Geneva. It was a four-seater saloon with a superb aerodynamic aluminium body and a six-cylinder BMW engine that was made in Britain under licence. The engine had been used before World War II in the Frazer-Nash. Power output was slightly more than 80 bhp at 4,500 rpm.
Source: The complete encyclopedia of Saloon Cars - Rob de la Rive Box
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971cc | S6 OHV | Bristol S6 (BMW derived) | 66mm x 96mm |
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 mph | 14.7 s | 19.7 s | 22 mpg | 80 bhp 4500 |
Auction Sales History
| Lot Num |
Description | Auctioneer | Date | Hammer Price | Hammer Price (inc premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 364 | Bristol 400 | Coys | 7 Dec 2011 | - | £48280.00 |
| 152 | 1948 Bristol 400 | Coys | 30 Nov 2006 | Not sold | |
| 624 | Bristol 400 Sports Saloon | Bonhams | 24 Apr 2006 | £15500.00 | £17825.00 |
| 010 | Bristol 400 Coupe (1948) | H&H Sales Limited | 20 Feb 2002 | - | £8190.00 |
| 241 | Bristol 400 (1949) | Coys | 27 May 2001 | - | £14950.00 |
| 041 | Bristol 400 (1948) | BCA | 7 Aug 2000 | - | £13910.00 |
| 012 | Bristol 400 (1948) | H&H Sales Limited | 12 Apr 2000 | £13500.00 | - |
| 083 | Bristol 400 (1948) | H&H Sales Limited | 28 Jul 1999 | Not sold | |
| 057 | Bristol 400 Coupe (1948) | H&H Sales Limited | 14 Apr 1999 | £16000.00 | - |
| 059 | Bristol 400 (1949) | BCA | 15 Feb 1999 | Not sold | |
| 018 | Bristol 400 (1949) | BCA | 12 Oct 1998 | Not sold | |
| 138 | Bristol 400 (1949) | Coys | 25 Jul 1998 | Not sold | |
| 460 | Bristol AC Ace (1960) | Coys | 20 Nov 1997 | Not sold | |
| 442a | Bristol 400 (1949) | Coys | 20 Nov 1997 | £11000.00 | £12939.00 |
| 029 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 3 Oct 1996 | - | £9660.00 |
| 027 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 30 Apr 1996 | - | £9775.00 |
| 067 | Bristol 400 (1950) | ADT | 12 Feb 1996 | £16250.00 | - |
| 021 | Bristol 400 (1950) | Coys | 31 Oct 1995 | Not sold | |
| 030 | Bristol 400 (1950) | Coys | 19 Sep 1995 | - | €16500.00 |
| 109 | Bristol 400 Saloon (1948) | Christies | 9 Sep 1995 | - | £2760.00 |
| 020 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 27 Jun 1995 | Not sold | |
| 018 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 1 Dec 1994 | Not sold | |
| 034 | Bristol 400 (1949) | ADT | 3 Oct 1994 | £14500.00 | - |
| 036 | Bristol 400 (1947) | H&H Sales Limited | 28 Jul 1994 | £8000.00 | - |
| 043 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 21 Mar 1994 | Not sold | |
| 021 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 8 Sep 1993 | £19000.00 | - |
| 085 | Bristol 400 (1950) | ADT | 21 Jun 1993 | Not sold | |
| 020 | Bristol 400 (1948) | Coys | 2 May 1993 | £17000.00 | - |
| 021 | Bristol 400 (1950) | Coys | 22 Mar 1993 | £18000.00 | - |
| 079 | Bristol 400 2 (1948) | Brooks | 14 Oct 1992 | Not sold | |
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Every single one |
89 |
 |
|
| Publication | Octane April 2012 | |||
| Every single one - Bristol Cars' history is one of consistency and evolution - and now it's reached a tuning point that will define its future. Time, then, to get all 21 models together. Bristol 400 to 403, Bristol 404 to 406, Bristol 407 to 410, Bristol 411 to Beaufighter, Britannia to Blenheim, Bristol Fighter. | ||||
| Article |
Road test - 1949 Bristol 400 - Bristol Fighter |
48 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart July 2008 | |||
| Road test - 1949 Bristol 400 - Bristol Fighter- This Bristol 400 displays the aircraft-quality engineering and aerodynamic styling that created a luxurious driving pleasure. By Steve Wilson. | ||||
| Article |
A vision of Precision |
106 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly April 2007 | |||
| A vision of Precision - The Bristol 400 is renowned for its aircraft quality constuction, so what does that mean when a full restoration is required? | ||||
| Article |
On Your Marques - Bristol - Flying High |
2 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Motor Monthly November 2005 | |||
| On Your Marques - Bristol - Flying High - "On your Marques - Club Call!" is our feature in which we spotlight the nation's enthusiasts vehicle clubs - if you want your club in "Club Call!", write to Peter Cahill at CMM. This month, "Club Call!" looks at the BRISTOL OWNERS CLUB. | ||||
| Article |
Thinking of Buying...2 Litre Bristols? |
44 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart July 2004 | |||
| Thinking of Buying...2 Litre Bristols? - Ted Purcell takes a long hard look at one of the more unusual classic British marques. | ||||
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