Details
1963 BRISTOL 407
Registration No. 7063 PG
Chassis No. 407-6061
Engine No. 949 23507c
Silver grey over metallic blue with red leather interior.
Engine: 90° V-8 with 5 bearing crankshaft, overhead valves operated by pushrods: Carter downdraught 4 barrel carburettor; Gearbox: electric three speed automatic; Suspension: independent front suspension with unequal length wishbones, coil springs and Armstrong telescopic dampers, rigid rear axle located by torsion bars, trailing top links and transverse Watt linkage; Brakes: Dunlop disc brakes all round; Right hand drive.
After the Second World War the Bristol Aeroplane Company diversified into the manufacture of motor cars, exploiting their expertise in the design and building of aeroplanes to produce elegant, streamlined, well engineered, luxurious but sporting motor cars. The first model, the 400, used the well known 2 litre 328 BMW engine for which the manufacturing rights had been acquired. This unit had considerable development potential and gave good power for its size - it was used in all early Bristols up to, and including, the 405 and was then increased in capacity to 2.2 litres and used in the 406. At this juncture a decision had to be made as to whether it would be better to develop a yet more powerful version of this proven engine, to enable the Bristol cars to match or better the performance of their competitors, or to use a proprietory engine already developed and available. After much deliberation the Canadian built V8 Chrysler engine of 5130cc was chosen - and the character of Bristol cars was forever changed.
The first Bristol to use the new engine was the 407 which achieved an excellent blending of the smooth and powerful engine and automatic gearbox with the refinement and luxury of the sporting two door saloon bodywork. It was an elegant, prestigious motor car, yet a clear descendant from the earlier Bristol "businessman's express" range of charismatic saloons.
This particular 407 is a highly exceptional example having had £40,000 spent on it during the course of a major restoration in Hong Kong - from whence it was imported to England in 1992. The whole car was treated to a comprenhensive rebuild through 1989 - 1991 and was quite simply fully restored; although the body was not removed from the chassis, the chassis was throughly checked and the bodywork stripped to bare metal prior to repainting. At the same time the engine was removed and checked before detailing began, whilst the suspension was overhauled as necessary. The decision was taken to install air-conditioning and the internal upholstery was re-covered in Connolly leather. The condition today is still outstanding, with unmarked silver grey over metallic blue paintwork, red leather trim and black carpets with immaculate woodwork. The Bristol has the original radio (at present disconnected) and is equipped with electronic ignition (which has led to the tachometer being inoperative).
The car comes with a comprehensive file containing the extensive record of expenditure, as well as an original Bristol 407 sales brochure, MOT to November and V5 registration document.
Without doubt this Bristol is an exceptional example of its kind and should be a potential class winner at Bristol Owners' Club meetings.
Registration No. 7063 PG
Chassis No. 407-6061
Engine No. 949 23507c
Silver grey over metallic blue with red leather interior.
Engine: 90° V-8 with 5 bearing crankshaft, overhead valves operated by pushrods: Carter downdraught 4 barrel carburettor; Gearbox: electric three speed automatic; Suspension: independent front suspension with unequal length wishbones, coil springs and Armstrong telescopic dampers, rigid rear axle located by torsion bars, trailing top links and transverse Watt linkage; Brakes: Dunlop disc brakes all round; Right hand drive.
After the Second World War the Bristol Aeroplane Company diversified into the manufacture of motor cars, exploiting their expertise in the design and building of aeroplanes to produce elegant, streamlined, well engineered, luxurious but sporting motor cars. The first model, the 400, used the well known 2 litre 328 BMW engine for which the manufacturing rights had been acquired. This unit had considerable development potential and gave good power for its size - it was used in all early Bristols up to, and including, the 405 and was then increased in capacity to 2.2 litres and used in the 406. At this juncture a decision had to be made as to whether it would be better to develop a yet more powerful version of this proven engine, to enable the Bristol cars to match or better the performance of their competitors, or to use a proprietory engine already developed and available. After much deliberation the Canadian built V8 Chrysler engine of 5130cc was chosen - and the character of Bristol cars was forever changed.
The first Bristol to use the new engine was the 407 which achieved an excellent blending of the smooth and powerful engine and automatic gearbox with the refinement and luxury of the sporting two door saloon bodywork. It was an elegant, prestigious motor car, yet a clear descendant from the earlier Bristol "businessman's express" range of charismatic saloons.
This particular 407 is a highly exceptional example having had £40,000 spent on it during the course of a major restoration in Hong Kong - from whence it was imported to England in 1992. The whole car was treated to a comprenhensive rebuild through 1989 - 1991 and was quite simply fully restored; although the body was not removed from the chassis, the chassis was throughly checked and the bodywork stripped to bare metal prior to repainting. At the same time the engine was removed and checked before detailing began, whilst the suspension was overhauled as necessary. The decision was taken to install air-conditioning and the internal upholstery was re-covered in Connolly leather. The condition today is still outstanding, with unmarked silver grey over metallic blue paintwork, red leather trim and black carpets with immaculate woodwork. The Bristol has the original radio (at present disconnected) and is equipped with electronic ignition (which has led to the tachometer being inoperative).
The car comes with a comprehensive file containing the extensive record of expenditure, as well as an original Bristol 407 sales brochure, MOT to November and V5 registration document.
Without doubt this Bristol is an exceptional example of its kind and should be a potential class winner at Bristol Owners' Club meetings.