Rolls Royce used to say "at 60mph, all you can hear is the clock". Tony Crook, the long time owner of Bristol, said "at 100mph, all you can hear is the Rolls Royce you just overtook"
I had a 411s4, magnificent. I went to the showroom and discussed ownership with Tony Crook, even though not buying from them. He was very gracious and generous with his time, so I evidently met his criteria.
Here is in the US I have never seen or heard of a Bristol 401. If the exterior were refinished, it would be a stunningly good looking car, it has a beautiful shape. It is a really interesting car.
It was open well into the 2000s. I remember seeing a car in there which sadly had not been built to the highest standard. Fit and finish was well down on Bristol's heyday.
From across the pond: Just watched John Light in a "Father Brown" episode The Father the Son. I thought he was driving a Bring More Wallet. coupe. Now I know it was a Bristol. Thank you. Narragansett Bay
Thanks for the memory! When I was in college around 71/72 my mate on the course had one of these. We had a great time driving around in it, felt quite the business. The petrol filler flap was a source of hilarity at manned petrol stations which were common at the time.
Back in the 70s I had a 401 the price I paid then was £220!! When you pulled away it was only firing on 5 ! Both mine and another friends 401 were both fitted with a free wheel. It was a super car and a joy to drive.
Driving an old car like this is such a treat. We have it made, but there is something special when you drive such an old machine, and it gets you to where you want to go a little bit slower than you expected, and a bit less creature comforts. But being able to take that machine that far, is something else
... Meanwhile in East Germany, in one of those funny twists of fate, they were building a fairly close contemporary relative of this Bristol... The EMW.... Worth doing a bit of research on these rare cars. Very fascinating!
I worked for Bristol at Filton from 1979 to '85. The best job l ever had... By the way, Jack, you seem to be developing a bit of a "six" fixation. 😊 The cars that followed on from the 401, all began with a four, right up until the 412. Then there was the 603. After that, names took over.
As someone who was trained in aircraft maintenance I'd argue the fuel filler door is aviation standard/influence. If it was it the filler cap would be accessible only after removing twenty screws.
@@simonm9923 Yes, I couldn't remember their exact name, but you knew what I meant. And they should screw into Helicoils to ensure the female threads stay in good nick.
Great video Jack. These cars are definitely special with their own character. I admire the owner's philosophy of getting it to run well, though if it were mine, I'd be inclined to restore the interior and exterior as it looks a bit ropey in its current state.
A very Large Thank-You to Julian for loan of this amazing automobile for you to test drive and comment on, Jack!!! It is quite simply a desperately pretty design, executed with all the top notch technology at the time, a very, very special thing indeed!!!
After what Jeremy wrote about the car (Blenheim maybe ?) in the Times and knowing Tony Crook, little wonder no one associated with him could have a go in one ^^
What a beauty ... Aerospace engineering inspector here , yes the TKR Le Mans jaguar used our composite materials skills in the early 90s ... carbon Kevlar wheel scoops .. keeping airflow on the wheels too make it stick to the track ... Anyway thanks for the video ... I'm 56 and hopefully there's still the skills and quality commitment about somewhere on this island 😊
My dad had a 407. They story went, that Tony Crook personally selected the car for each customer, matching the customer to the car "he" thought would best suit him. My dad got a 407. True enough, he loved the push-button gear selector.
Good timing! I find Bristol cars fascinating - if I were one of the super-rich, there would be a place for one in my garage. Coincidentally, a Bristol 411 passed me yesterday - it was beautiful!
I love the older cars. Being from America I shouldn’t even know about this car, but I am an Anglophile and knew about the Bristol cars. Keep up the great work. I totally enjoy your channel.
You can take the same parts to build two cars, and they can come out feeling very different depending on how they were built. Kudos to the owner for taking care of the mechanicals first. I remember when I acquired a Karmann Ghia that was not running. I built a balanced and blueprinted 1.6L, installed a new transmission and clutch, new brakes, calipers, shocks, tie rods, wheel bearings... the list goes on and it was running beautifully. Then one day a chap was looking it over and said "You're not a car person". I asked him what he meant and he remarked that the paint was not polished and could be much better, so I must not care about the car. Sigh. Thank for the sharing this lovely gem with us.
That is a fine looking car. Just enough curves so it's not a box, not so many curves your eyes get tired and lost. Just beautiful. Clean and nice. Thanks for posting.
I always liked these and the BMW these were based on. The amount of insulation in Bristols is amazing. I wish I bought one when I could afford one 15-20 years ago!
About 1990 I was involved in developing academic computer networking in an area of the UK, and one of the salesmen with whom I had dealings had opted out of the company car scheme and instead had some arrangement where he bought a classic Bristol, and his employer paid for insurance and maintenance (and restoration without the taxman knowing). I wonder if he watches this channel.
I know you've mentioned my favourite motoring journalist of all time, L. J. K. Setright, in the past, so you probably know how much he loved these cars. He was the Owners' Club President for some time, and I think wrote the definitive book on them. I have the good fortune, here in South Australia, to know an excellent car restorer who has had a number of these fine, early Bristols through his hands (careful how you say that), and I have had a chance to look at them up close. They are remarkable cars. I like the unrestored condition of your test car.
This is top tier. I have seen other reviews as good, but none better. And I would really like to see a Bristol from the last third of the twentieth century.
My parents had on in the late 60's, when i was a toddler. I saw a photo of me sat on the bonnet and thought it was an old jag in the picture (black and white and small) when i left home and was searching the loft for stuff. No ,apparently it was a bristol 401 hand painted in british racing green.
Im not really a car fan more into bikes BUT this car sticks in my mind because as a 10 year old walking the 2 miles to school every day i would see one of these parked in a side street and i was fascinated. I have a big interest in aircrat too and as a keen model maker at the time always wondered if there was a connection with the Bristol aircraft. Now after 60 plus years i know for certain, thanks.
I saw the car and the grill and right away I knew the parentage. Of course the date 1948 made it obvious. I also heard if the Bristol name but never saw one or knew the details you explained. Wonderful video. So nice to learn a car that was made the same year as me is still on the road. 😊😂
What an amazing car. Lots of lovely bits of engineering. The dash is wonderful. However, Correct me if I’m wrong, but that one sounds like it has a misfire - 5 cylinders rather than 6.
I can remember seeing Bristol cars in the sixties in our American car mags, never have seen one in person. Thanks for the great video! I've wondered why you don't do more vintage cars; I'd love to see your take on the Alvis, either the TD or TE.
Those seats (chairs?) look very comfortable and I note that, in line with post 2000 claims, not a hit of a central console. This allowed a good seat width in a standard width car. I would love to see reviews of the later models.
Bristol cars are some of my favourites. I saw my first one, a 403 I think, in British Racing Green, parked outside our house back in the 1950's. Love! I would like to see that one restored, mind.
"...gin palace on wheels..."? That's a new one on me and I lived in Briton for fifteen years. Fascinating car and a great presentation. It seems to embody so much that is innovative about British automotve engineering.
I've never seen a patinated Bristol before. They always seem to be mint, or under half an inch of barn dust. It looks amazing! Julian, Jules, J-dawg... nice work so far, hope you're leaving the bodywork as-is.
I actually had no idea they had gone, such an exclusive club. Many years ago I remember walking past the one dealership, they looked old fashioned then, to me! Interesting to see just how it started with all those features and new innovations at the time.
Was very much hoping you’d get your hands on some Bristol, been looking forward to this 😎 And ironic the DDR East Germans were making cars based on BMW 328 in Eisenach too as EMW I used to work for a guy who owned one in California
The term "Shabby Chic" is best described for this car, but wow, what a car,brilliant, I would definitely drive something like this, nice one Jack & Kudos to the owner😁👍
Finally Jack you drive a real car. ANY Bristol, I mean any Bristol would find a place in my garage. I would move even my daily driver out to have one of these. The build quality is unsurpassed. I have driven a few of these cars, and I always walk away wanting one. Unfortunately here in Australia they are VERY rare and VERY costly. There are 3 Bristols on my bucket list. In 1958 the 406 had disk brakes on all 4 wheels!
Thank you for covering one of my favourite cars from one of my favourite brands. I could probably wax lyrical (or as close as I can manage) on the features of the early Bristol motorcars. Yes, there was a lot of BMW in the Bristol's genes but the British combined the best of BMW practice by taking the chassis of the 326 and combining it with the 328 engine. On the 400 they even took inspiration for the bodywork from the BMW 327, just to be sure of doing a complete job. The BMW 326 (and the Bristol 400 up to and including the 405) used an bracket shaped like the latter A to provide lateral location of the back axle (rather like Alfa Romeo with its post-war designs) and torsion bars for the springing medium (arranged to give progressive rate springing). The BMW 328, for all its sporting success had to make do with a pair of leaf springs to support and locate its live axle. Bristol took great pains over the front suspension assembly, which was assembled as a unit before being attached to the chassis. Each assembly was checked to ensure that the geometry was correct throughout the full range of wheel movement. I noticed that you mentioned the lack of synchromesh on first gear. As originally designed, the transmission incorporated a freewheel mechanism on first gear, to allow for silent engagement of that gear while the car was moving. However, the freewheel mechanism could be damaged by careless usage, and some owners had it removed. As for the movement of the lever, I hope you get to try a later car, as the shorter lever that was fitted to the 404, 405 and 406 is reputed to be one of the best gear changes in the business. Bristol gets a lot of hate from people who've probably never even seen one in real life, never mind travelled in one. Thank you for presenting the positive aspects of the marque to a wider audience.
I love all Bristol cars, perhaps some more than others but I have never considered any of them controversial. This car the 401 is a thing of beauty, look beyond the outer body finish (I dislike 'patina', so over used) and the attention to detail is so good. You can see the BMW influence but it is still a British car. You could argue that it takes some inspiration from the Jaguar XK 120/140 series but that may be stretching it a bit perhaps, again I love both of those cars too. I think the sound of this engine is just wonderful even if it is getting on age wise it still sounds purposeful. Thank you to Julian for bringing this car down and thank you Jack for the review. 👍👍
I never knew about Bristol cars until I watched a movie called "An Education" a few years back. The main character/antagonist drives a 405. It immediately caught my eye, it was such a wonderful car.
I really hope that you are going to drive a Blenheim. When I was in the UK I had the pleasure to be a passenger for a few minutes in one of these,a blue series 3. Even if I was picked up in Tottenham we were moving slowly in traffic, it was an extraordinary experience.
My neighbour had 2 of these in his backyard, a natural aluminium silver one and a red one, he also had a 356 porsche. He returned to Britain and took the Bristol's with him, he sold the porsche to me for $600, I drove it for a while & then sold it for well over 10 times what I paid for it.
Saw one for sale when I was a student in 1981. Would have loved to have bought it, but would not have had the skills to put it back on the road. Great video. Thanks
Something is only original once. I can understand rebuilding a wreck to an "as new" standard if you have deep pockets. A seventy year old car in good running order should not be tarted up. It would be like giving your granny a tit uplift, tight dresses and Botox everywhere. Taste, common sense and frugality are the watchwords for preserving old vehicles.
An uncle of mine had one of these more than 50 years ago. Apparently the first owner , a musician, bought it as it was the only car whose boot would hold a cello
Impressive. My 1978 Saab had a .36 coefficient of drag. Of course, Packard and others had one shot lubrication. But this car was decades ahead of its time.
Tony Crook was reputedly very choosy about who he allowed to view his cars, let alone buy them. The Kensington showroom doors were always kept locked, and you had to ring the bell. Nobody would come to the door, because Mr. Crook was examining you from his office in the back. If he didn't like the look of you, the doors would stay locked and no amount of bell-ringing would gain attention thereafter!
I walked into the showroom in the 90's with no bother .. it was like going back 20 years though.. massive rolodex style card machine on the desk . Mr Crook took me downstairs to take me in a Bristol (didn't let me drive though) and we had an interesting conversation through the test drive. A good memory along with driving a V8 Lagonda around Kensington .. that everyone in the street loved.
What a machine! I have walked past the Bristol showroom so many times. The cars are of course gorgeous! However, they looked anachronistic in this modern era!
Rolls Royce used to say "at 60mph, all you can hear is the clock". Tony Crook, the long time owner of Bristol, said "at 100mph, all you can hear is the Rolls Royce you just overtook"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 brilliant!
Jay Leno said, it only means the clock in your Rolls is extremely noisy 😂
I met Tony Crook a couple of times, such a character, so many stories about him. Mostly true!
i love my rolls , do you like your s
They are truly cars where you don't own them but are custodians. Wonderful machines, the essence of Britain.
Yeeeees!!! Especially the one made of BMW 328 !!!
with a German accent?
@@bertbristow7172 the English are part German, genetically.
the only british bit about them is the unreliability.
@grrfy BMWs are not known for reliability either - whether MTBF or total down time.
I had a 411s4, magnificent. I went to the showroom and discussed ownership with Tony Crook, even though not buying from them. He was very gracious and generous with his time, so I evidently met his criteria.
Here is in the US I have never seen or heard of a Bristol 401. If the exterior were refinished, it would be a stunningly good looking car, it has a beautiful shape. It is a really interesting car.
Jay Leno has one which is restored and featured on his channel..
Actually I like the patina. It suits the car in some way. Makes it look like an old warbird from WW2 for the road.
I remember the Kensington showroom. I'm not sure when it closed, but it was still there in the 90's
It was open well into the 2000s. I remember seeing a car in there which sadly had not been built to the highest standard. Fit and finish was well down on Bristol's heyday.
From across the pond: Just watched John Light in a "Father Brown" episode The Father the Son. I thought he was driving a Bring More Wallet. coupe. Now I know it was a Bristol. Thank you. Narragansett Bay
Thanks for the memory! When I was in college around 71/72 my mate on the course had one of these. We had a great time driving around in it, felt quite the business. The petrol filler flap was a source of hilarity at manned petrol stations which were common at the time.
What a pretty and nicely engineered machine. The bonnet slide for opening.. just utterly nice. Lovely car.
Back in the 70s I had a 401 the price I paid then was £220!! When you pulled away it was only firing on 5 ! Both mine and another friends 401 were both fitted with a free wheel. It was a super car and a joy to drive.
Driving an old car like this is such a treat. We have it made, but there is something special when you drive such an old machine, and it gets you to where you want to go a little bit slower than you expected, and a bit less creature comforts. But being able to take that machine that far, is something else
... Meanwhile in East Germany, in one of those funny twists of fate, they were building a fairly close contemporary relative of this Bristol... The EMW....
Worth doing a bit of research on these rare cars. Very fascinating!
The EMW derive from the BMW design, so they look identical in some aspects, to BMW501.
In the tv series ¨the inspector Lynley mysteries" Lynley drove a maroon Bristol 410. He also drove a Jensen interceptor.
Lucky sod.
@@afischer8327 Understatement.
I worked for Bristol at Filton from 1979 to '85.
The best job l ever had...
By the way, Jack, you seem to be developing a bit of a "six" fixation. 😊
The cars that followed on from the 401, all began with a four, right up until the 412.
Then there was the 603.
After that, names took over.
I wonder which car Jack meant when he said the Bristol 601. I'm guessing the 406.
i just love old bristols, they were fantastic cars.
A very BIG thank you for allowing me to discover this beautifull machine. What a character she has!
As someone who was trained in aircraft maintenance I'd argue the fuel filler door is aviation standard/influence. If it was it the filler cap would be accessible only after removing twenty screws.
But self-retaining (captive) quarter turn Zeus screw with offset triwing drive recesses.
@@andrewdking, indeed! They’re Dzus fasteners actually, used on every racing car from the 50s and ever since 👍
@@simonm9923 Yes, I couldn't remember their exact name, but you knew what I meant. And they should screw into Helicoils to ensure the female threads stay in good nick.
A Bristol 411 would be my dream car, I think one day I'd swap my Bentley turbo R for a Bristol. Best car of all time.
A man of taste 👌
Great video Jack. These cars are definitely special with their own character. I admire the owner's philosophy of getting it to run well, though if it were mine, I'd be inclined to restore the interior and exterior as it looks a bit ropey in its current state.
Love it! Thank you Jack and Julian.
Magical! I'd love to see more Bristols driven and reviewed.
LJK Setright would approve.
I seem to remember him describing the " tactile sensation of textural perception " a long time ago !
A very Large Thank-You to Julian for loan of this amazing automobile for you to test drive and comment on, Jack!!! It is quite simply a desperately pretty design, executed with all the top notch technology at the time, a very, very special thing indeed!!!
What a car! I appreciate the owners view on restoration. The only thing I would restore on this car would be the interior and leave the outside as is.
Crazy cool old beauty. As a Canadian I’ve never seen one in the metal but maybe one day. I guess James May is allowed into the building now hahahaha
After what Jeremy wrote about the car (Blenheim maybe ?) in the Times and knowing Tony Crook, little wonder no one associated with him could have a go in one ^^
@@jean-charlesweyland129 I always wondered what Clarkson did. Thanks. I will look that up.
Fabulous car one of my favourites along with Lancias from the fifties and sixties. Once the paint work is done going to be truly beautiful.
What a beauty ... Aerospace engineering inspector here , yes the TKR Le Mans jaguar used our composite materials skills in the early 90s ... carbon Kevlar wheel scoops .. keeping airflow on the wheels too make it stick to the track ... Anyway thanks for the video ... I'm 56 and hopefully there's still the skills and quality commitment about somewhere on this island 😊
Please Jack, more like this, so interesting. Thank you, Sir.
My dad had a 407. They story went, that Tony Crook personally selected the car for each customer, matching the customer to the car "he" thought would best suit him. My dad got a 407. True enough, he loved the push-button gear selector.
Love touching Bristols❤❤
😂😂😂😂
I just wish he'd tested two in the video.
This stuff writes itself. 😁
Priceless 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍
😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
It's got six jugs.
Good timing! I find Bristol cars fascinating - if I were one of the super-rich, there would be a place for one in my garage. Coincidentally, a Bristol 411 passed me yesterday - it was beautiful!
I love the older cars. Being from America I shouldn’t even know about this car, but I am an Anglophile and knew about the Bristol cars. Keep up the great work. I totally enjoy your channel.
Dare I say it's a very chic rat-rod? Great video, Jack. You are getting some amazing cars on the channel.
You can take the same parts to build two cars, and they can come out feeling very different depending on how they were built. Kudos to the owner for taking care of the mechanicals first. I remember when I acquired a Karmann Ghia that was not running. I built a balanced and blueprinted 1.6L, installed a new transmission and clutch, new brakes, calipers, shocks, tie rods, wheel bearings... the list goes on and it was running beautifully. Then one day a chap was looking it over and said "You're not a car person". I asked him what he meant and he remarked that the paint was not polished and could be much better, so I must not care about the car. Sigh. Thank for the sharing this lovely gem with us.
That straight 6 makes a really good note 🎵.
Always pleased to see a Bristol. Love the patina. 😎
That is a fine looking car. Just enough curves so it's not a box, not so many curves your eyes get tired and lost. Just beautiful. Clean and nice. Thanks for posting.
I always liked these and the BMW these were based on. The amount of insulation in Bristols is amazing. I wish I bought one when I could afford one 15-20 years ago!
About 1990 I was involved in developing academic computer networking in an area of the UK, and one of the salesmen with whom I had dealings had opted out of the company car scheme and instead had some arrangement where he bought a classic Bristol, and his employer paid for insurance and maintenance (and restoration without the taxman knowing). I wonder if he watches this channel.
Jack. You have the coolest job. Fantastic job as always Jack.
I know you've mentioned my favourite motoring journalist of all time, L. J. K. Setright, in the past, so you probably know how much he loved these cars. He was the Owners' Club President for some time, and I think wrote the definitive book on them. I have the good fortune, here in South Australia, to know an excellent car restorer who has had a number of these fine, early Bristols through his hands (careful how you say that), and I have had a chance to look at them up close. They are remarkable cars. I like the unrestored condition of your test car.
That red one was a beauty . Instantly pleasing to look at .
This is top tier. I have seen other reviews as good, but none better. And I would really like to see a Bristol from the last third of the twentieth century.
My parents had on in the late 60's, when i was a toddler.
I saw a photo of me sat on the bonnet and thought it was an old jag in the picture (black and white and small) when i left home and was searching the loft for stuff.
No ,apparently it was a bristol 401 hand painted in british racing green.
Im not really a car fan more into bikes BUT this car sticks in my mind because as a 10 year old walking the 2 miles to school every day i would see one of these parked in a side street and i was fascinated. I have a big interest in aircrat too and as a keen model maker at the time always wondered if there was a connection with the Bristol aircraft. Now after 60 plus years i know for certain, thanks.
I saw the car and the grill and right away I knew the parentage. Of course the date 1948 made it obvious. I also heard if the Bristol name but never saw one or knew the details you explained. Wonderful video. So nice to learn a car that was made the same year as me is still on the road. 😊😂
Loved how the 405 that starred on "An Education" looked on screen
Fabulous machine, always loved the Bristol marque.
What an amazing car. Lots of lovely bits of engineering. The dash is wonderful. However, Correct me if I’m wrong, but that one sounds like it has a misfire - 5 cylinders rather than 6.
Lovely the 401! Great engineered cars.
I can remember seeing Bristol cars in the sixties in our American car mags, never have seen one in person. Thanks for the great video! I've wondered why you don't do more vintage cars; I'd love to see your take on the Alvis, either the TD or TE.
Bring on the patina! Love the motivation. I used to cycle past the Kensington showroom and never saw a soul in there.
Those seats (chairs?) look very comfortable and I note that, in line with post 2000 claims, not a hit of a central console. This allowed a good seat width in a standard width car. I would love to see reviews of the later models.
Bristol cars are some of my favourites. I saw my first one, a 403 I think, in British Racing Green, parked outside our house back in the 1950's. Love! I would like to see that one restored, mind.
TY J 🙏🙏. Olde world charm right there!
"...gin palace on wheels..."? That's a new one on me and I lived in Briton for fifteen years. Fascinating car and a great presentation. It seems to embody so much that is innovative about British automotve engineering.
James May is inside that car somewhere if you look hard enough.
Beautiful.Thank you for bringing something different to us.
I've never seen a patinated Bristol before. They always seem to be mint, or under half an inch of barn dust. It looks amazing!
Julian, Jules, J-dawg... nice work so far, hope you're leaving the bodywork as-is.
In the old days, the aluminium panels were difficult to treat for corrosion and it kept coming through the paint. Maybe better tech is available now.
I actually had no idea they had gone, such an exclusive club. Many years ago I remember walking past the one dealership, they looked old fashioned then, to me! Interesting to see just how it started with all those features and new innovations at the time.
Was very much hoping you’d get your hands on some Bristol, been looking forward to this 😎
And ironic the DDR East Germans were making cars based on BMW 328 in Eisenach too as EMW
I used to work for a guy who owned one in California
I really am in love with this car❤
Amazing, you bring us some fantastic cars from the past. Thank you, so much.
Love the older car reviews 👍👍
The term "Shabby Chic" is best described for this car, but wow, what a car,brilliant, I would definitely drive something like this, nice one Jack & Kudos to the owner😁👍
If you had two you could say "I love a nice pair of Bristol's"
Absolutely brilliant video jack ❤👍what a stunning car Absolutely amazing car and still going most cars now can't do 100 thousand brilliant
Thanks 👍 Danielle!
Finally Jack you drive a real car. ANY Bristol, I mean any Bristol would find a place in my garage. I would move even my daily driver out to have one of these. The build quality is unsurpassed. I have driven a few of these cars, and I always walk away wanting one. Unfortunately here in Australia they are VERY rare and VERY costly. There are 3 Bristols on my bucket list. In 1958 the 406 had disk brakes on all 4 wheels!
there was one where i grew up in sky blue and that was in 1971 and i was 8! ive always liked those cars they're lovely
I really like your videos on old cars that most know next to nothing about, please keep doing them.
Remarkable car. Quite distinctive in so very many ways.
Keep it on the road. Don't worry about aesthetics. 👍
Great car, same engine as the 327/328 BMWs of the late 30s, amazing valve train layout with the horizontal pushrods.
Thank you for covering one of my favourite cars from one of my favourite brands. I could probably wax lyrical (or as close as I can manage) on the features of the early Bristol motorcars.
Yes, there was a lot of BMW in the Bristol's genes but the British combined the best of BMW practice by taking the chassis of the 326 and combining it with the 328 engine. On the 400 they even took inspiration for the bodywork from the BMW 327, just to be sure of doing a complete job. The BMW 326 (and the Bristol 400 up to and including the 405) used an bracket shaped like the latter A to provide lateral location of the back axle (rather like Alfa Romeo with its post-war designs) and torsion bars for the springing medium (arranged to give progressive rate springing). The BMW 328, for all its sporting success had to make do with a pair of leaf springs to support and locate its live axle. Bristol took great pains over the front suspension assembly, which was assembled as a unit before being attached to the chassis. Each assembly was checked to ensure that the geometry was correct throughout the full range of wheel movement.
I noticed that you mentioned the lack of synchromesh on first gear. As originally designed, the transmission incorporated a freewheel mechanism on first gear, to allow for silent engagement of that gear while the car was moving. However, the freewheel mechanism could be damaged by careless usage, and some owners had it removed. As for the movement of the lever, I hope you get to try a later car, as the shorter lever that was fitted to the 404, 405 and 406 is reputed to be one of the best gear changes in the business.
Bristol gets a lot of hate from people who've probably never even seen one in real life, never mind travelled in one. Thank you for presenting the positive aspects of the marque to a wider audience.
I love all Bristol cars, perhaps some more than others but I have never considered any of them controversial. This car the 401 is a thing of beauty, look beyond the outer body finish (I dislike 'patina', so over used) and the attention to detail is so good. You can see the BMW influence but it is still a British car. You could argue that it takes some inspiration from the Jaguar XK 120/140 series but that may be stretching it a bit perhaps, again I love both of those cars too. I think the sound of this engine is just wonderful even if it is getting on age wise it still sounds purposeful. Thank you to Julian for bringing this car down and thank you Jack for the review. 👍👍
Far more interesting video than some tacky Ferrai ,,Thanks ..
I never knew about Bristol cars until I watched a movie called "An Education" a few years back. The main character/antagonist drives a 405. It immediately caught my eye, it was such a wonderful car.
I have an old postcard with this car. Now I see how it moves. What a day! =)
British clothes designer Paul Smith who being fed up with flash cars, drove a 405.
I really hope that you are going to drive a Blenheim. When I was in the UK I had the pleasure to be a passenger for a few minutes in one of these,a blue series 3. Even if I was picked up in Tottenham we were moving slowly in traffic, it was an extraordinary experience.
My neighbour had 2 of these in his backyard, a natural aluminium silver one and a red one, he also had a 356 porsche. He returned to Britain and took the Bristol's with him, he sold the porsche to me for $600, I drove it for a while & then sold it for well over 10 times what I paid for it.
Sounds like it’s down one cylinder. Love the content.
Saw one for sale when I was a student in 1981. Would have loved to have bought it, but would not have had the skills to put it back on the road. Great video. Thanks
That patina gives the car so much character you can forgive its shabby appearance. I would definitely drive it. A statement piece.
Something is only original once. I can understand rebuilding a wreck to an "as new" standard if you have deep pockets.
A seventy year old car in good running order should not be tarted up. It would be like giving your granny a tit uplift, tight dresses and Botox everywhere.
Taste, common sense and frugality are the watchwords for preserving old vehicles.
Great car! This one deserves a restoration.
Gorgeous car. I even like the patina on that example.
An uncle of mine had one of these more than 50 years ago. Apparently the first owner , a musician, bought it as it was the only car whose boot would hold a cello
This is probably the most interesting car you have driven Jack. It would be amazing if you could try a few others.
Rumor has it most Bristol car accidents were caused by that wiper motion
Always hankered after a 401 - but they’ve never been easy to acquire. Now they're all restored and £100k. Apart from this one - a joy to see 🎉
The Bristol 401 is one of my favourite cars
Tony Crook's number plate was MPH 100. I don't know which was the first Bristol car that went on?
The car with that humpback looks like the Porsche Panamera (1st Gen) of its day.
The engine sounds like it needs a tune-up.
"Not done anything to the looks of the car", well that's the understatement of the century! Cracking machine though. 👍
Impressive. My 1978 Saab had a .36 coefficient of drag. Of course, Packard and others had one shot lubrication. But this car was decades ahead of its time.
Great video. The 401 must have one of the longest gearshift in the world.
Tony Crook was reputedly very choosy about who he allowed to view his cars, let alone buy them. The Kensington showroom doors were always kept locked, and you had to ring the bell. Nobody would come to the door, because Mr. Crook was examining you from his office in the back. If he didn't like the look of you, the doors would stay locked and no amount of bell-ringing would gain attention thereafter!
I walked into the showroom in the 90's with no bother .. it was like going back 20 years though.. massive rolodex style card machine on the desk . Mr Crook took me downstairs to take me in a Bristol (didn't let me drive though) and we had an interesting conversation through the test drive. A good memory along with driving a V8 Lagonda around Kensington .. that everyone in the street loved.
Super video. You should do more like this.👌
What a machine! I have walked past the Bristol showroom so many times. The cars are of course gorgeous! However, they looked anachronistic in this modern era!
Gorgeous engine sound!
I like the boot lid. The earlier 400s had no boot lid at all.
Another British car i have never seen or heard of. I particularly like the older unicorn car videos!