cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
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Bristol - the obscure and unobtainable car you want but can't afford
Built by an aircraft company, built like an aircraft, styled in an eccentric way, built for gentlemen, owned by eccentric wealthy gentlemen (moi?) - what's not to like?
I was fascinated by Bristols for years. But I had never seen one in the flesh (metal, alloy, 'glass?).
So while living in London I put on a suit and marched myself down to the Bristol showroom where I was greeted by Tony Crook himself -- what a name!
He sternly, off-handedly granted me a cold nod (having sussed me out in a heartbeat & decided I was not the type for a Bristol) and left me to wander through the few cars with not even a handshake, cup or water or brochure. Knowing myself to be an imposter anyway, I took it as intended and soon left, vowing never to own one which was no idle threat and not difficult to uphold as they are so very rare.
The cars are quirky - with the spare wheel behind one front wheel and the battery behind the other, they all have a long-nose proportion.
Even the Beaufighter (or Fighter) which has a bit of Triumph Stag look due to the odd top arrangement.
Having been powered for most of the last 40 years by Chrysler engines, it was logical that in the last waning years the company would go nuts and built a Viper-engined variant.
Overstuffed butterscotch interior
Overstuffed engine compartment
Graceful lines
But this is the profile that grabbed me first, made memorable by LJK Setright writing in CAR magazine. READ MORE ABOUT BRISTOL HERE
LJK
The company was revived a few years ago and is now offering the Bristol Bullet for sale. Carbon fibre body, alloy chassis, engine by BMW, all for $300k. Maybe...
The cars are quirky - with the spare wheel behind one front wheel and the battery behind the other, they all have a long-nose proportion.
Even the Beaufighter (or Fighter) which has a bit of Triumph Stag look due to the odd top arrangement.
Having been powered for most of the last 40 years by Chrysler engines, it was logical that in the last waning years the company would go nuts and built a Viper-engined variant.
Overstuffed butterscotch interior
Overstuffed engine compartment
Graceful lines
But this is the profile that grabbed me first, made memorable by LJK Setright writing in CAR magazine. READ MORE ABOUT BRISTOL HERE
LJK
The company was revived a few years ago and is now offering the Bristol Bullet for sale. Carbon fibre body, alloy chassis, engine by BMW, all for $300k. Maybe...
Cazalea
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Bristol - the obscure and unobtainable car you want but can't afford
Built by an aircraft company, built like an aircraft, styled in an eccentric way, built for gentlemen, owned by eccentric wealthy gentlemen (moi?) - what's not to like? I was fascinated by Bristols for years. But I had never seen one in the flesh (metal, ...
Thank you for the delightful post Mike!
I too had the honour to meet Tony Crook at the showroom and I was just spell bound by his stories of his racing years competing against Stirling Moss. A legend! It is not often that the CEO and owner of the company is also their salesman from their only s...
mesmorizing....
....the dark blue older one that looks so difficult to catagorize. Odd proportions and styling that somehow works. I guess its a "saloon"... ? The dapper dude in the suit looks like he owns at least one of everything... except a pair of scissors! Great st...
The show room in Kensington was quite quirky
I concur with the 5th car, simply majestic đ
With a penchant for off-the-beaten-track life, I loved the square cut Beaufighter with its Zagato body
As a youth I also visited the showroom in London. Despite arriving by bus, I got a warm welcome by Tony Crook. But then I had the advantage that he awaited a potential customer with a doctor title, and he was not quick enough to change his behaviour towar...
Reminds me of...
Somehow that blue two door reminds me a bit of the very early Saabâs Also aircraft producers by origin and it shows in the aerodynamics. Great Concours youâve been to. Love the pictures thanks for sharing
Some very nice cars for sure, rather quirky in their design but luxurious and very confortable!
Some dirty shots of the 403 in Bristol Aerospace Museum where they were originally made. One thing I don't understand though, is why keep pushing trying to bring back to life something that died? They were good cars then but the recent ones are not my cup...
Forgot to say that the company origins are interesting too:
copies of BMW (bodywork and engines) with drawings "taken" from Germany following WW2 that then slowly became its own brand with its own identity. Best, Ă.
