Current automotive news is not exactly our main shtick, but Bristol Cars has been building new Curbside Classics since 1946, all on essentially the same platform/frame. My brief history of the remarkably slow evolution of the last traditional coach built British luxury car is here. The Telegraph reports that Bristol Cars is in “administration”, the British equivalent of bankruptcy court. The court appointed receivers “aim to find buyers for Bristol who could keep it running as a going concern.” Good luck with that.
That is a neat picture. Bristol car company started as a division of Bristol aircraft company after WW2. The Bristol Blenheim (car) is posing with a Bristol Blenheim fighter/bomber.
I spent some time in 2005 with the guy who runs Bristol Cars. He’s a complete nutter.
i rented an education on netflix recently. i had never heard of a bristol before but i was smitten by the beautiful bristol 405 featured in the film.
http://karakullake.blogspot.com/2009/12/car-bristol-405-in-movie-education.html
the comments to robert’s original review were awesome. someone actually went to the trouble of registering as ladyagatha in order to defend the reputation of her bristol which compared favorably to all her cars with the exception of her bentley. i imagine her at home on a chintz sofa with fresh flowers and beautifully groomed spaniels.
but seriously, i have to respect the iconoclastic nature of a british bespoke car builder who has survived until the 21st century. i only hope that the brand retains some of it’s authenticity when it recovers from it’s current financial situation.
Well, you have to be, if you are running an automotive business on that basis:
“Strictly speaking, the Bristol’s underpinnings are even older than 1947 (400 above). Bristol based their entry into the automotive world on pre-war BMWs. The frame came from the 326, and the 2 Litre six from the 328. And the grille gives that away, all too obviously. But fear not, Bristol paid a license to replicate the Bimmers.” (Paul Niedermeyer)
Compared to Bristol even Morgan seems to have a “revolutionary” approach to car design and marketing. This company never managed to sell cars outside of England/Scotland/Wales.