Bristol 401
Overview
| Produced: |
1948-1953, 611 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,2 doors,4 seats |
A second model appeared in 1949: the Bristol 401, which was equipped with a body by Touring of Milan. The construction used a patented lightweight system in which the aluminium skin was attached to thin steel tubes. These Bristol cars were sporting thoroughbreds that had speed enough for the circuit but were better suited to long journeys. They were also extremely expensive and small numbers were produced as 2+2 coupes and convertibles. A higher powered version with 107 bhp motor was the 403 of which 281 were made.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 mph | 15.1 s | 19.9 s | 23 mpg | 85 bhp 4500 |
Auction Sales History
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
The Bristol way |
42 |
 |
|
| Publication | Classic Cars June 2010 | |||
|
The Bristol way - To those in the know a Bristol is the finest car money can buy, yet the price of finding out for yourself starts at less the £25,000. Bristol 401 vs 410 vs 603. |
||||
| Article |
Staff car sagas |
38 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics May 2007 | |||
| Staff car sagas - 1980 Vauxhall Royale 2.8 Litre Coupe Auto-Matt Wright. 1951 Bristol-Theodore Gillam. 1968 Tatra 603-2-Sam Glover. | ||||
| Article |
Our Cars - Martin Gurdon - 1951 Bristol 401, 1972 Honda Z600 Coupe |
46 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars October 2004 | |||
| Our Cars - Martin Gurdon - 1951 Bristol 401, 1972 Honda Z600 Coupe - Thank God lightening didn’t strike twice. | ||||
| Article |
Our Cars: 1951 Bristol 401 - Martin Gurdon |
42 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars June 2004 | |||
| Our Cars - Trials and tribulations of the Classic Cars team and the cars we live with. 1951 Bristol 401 - Martin Gurdon - Chickens avert Bristol sell-off threat. | ||||
| Article |
Our Cars - 1951 Bristol 401 |
37 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars February 2004 | |||
| Our Cars. Trials and tribulations of the Classic Cars team and the cars we live with. 1951 Bristol 401 | ||||
| Article |
Buying Guide - Bristol 401-403 (1949-55) |
94 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars January 2004 | |||
| Buying Guide - Bristol 401-403 (1949-55). Combining German engineering with British aircraft technology and Italian-derived body construction, early Bristols boasted quality, beuty and pefection. Here' show to find one that's kept that way. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Datafile - Bristol 401/403 |
136 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics Spring 1997 | |||
| Buyer's Datafile - Bristol 401/403. | ||||
| 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 |
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 |
Road Test - Bristol 401/403 |
38 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 20 October 2004 | |||
| Road Test - Bristol 401/403 - Built 1948-55, two-door, four-seater, saloon and convertible. Front-engined, rear-wheel-drive. Six-cylinder, 1971cc OHV engine. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| Article |
War Babies |
138 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car November 2002 | |||
| War Babies - IT's not just aviation that links BMW's 'Baroque Angel' 501 and the Bristol 401, as Alastair Clements explains. | ||||
People who looked at this car, also looked at:
Have you any further information on this car?
