1949' Bristol 400

During the 1930s, Frazer Nash, who made some of the finest sports car of the time, extended their range by importing BMW's 3 Series cars which were re-badged and sold as Frazer Nash-BMWs. After 1945 they acquired the designs for the BMW range and encouraged the Bristol Aeroplane Company to take up car manufacturing which, to our good fortune, they chose to do!

The first product was the Bristol 400 which in essence combined the chassis of the BMW 326 with the looks of the 327 coupe and the superb engine of the 328 sports car. Being made by an aircraft manufacturer the 400 was a very high quality machine and, being hand built by highly skilled craftsmen, it was inevitably expensive when it was new however it soon found a strong market niche as well gaining a good reputation in motoring events including the Mille Miglia and the Monte Carlo Rally.

According to Bristol Owners Club records which give us a fairly comprehensive list of owners, this particular example was first sold in February 1949 by Bristol agents Bradburn and Wedge of Wolverhampton. It has been in its current ownership for about 17 years and judging by its condition and an extensive file of invoices it has been very well maintained and kept in regular use during that time. There is also an invoice for work done and parts supplied for an engine rebuild carried out by its previous owner plus a set of photographs taken whilst it was being going on.

The file also contains a largely complete set of MoT certificates dating back to 1987 which show that the car has covered about 15,000 miles since the engine rebuild in 1997. In addition there is a photocopy of a Bristol Aeroplane Company (Car Division) Running and Maintenance Manual for the Bristol 2 Litre Type 400.

Given all this care and attention you would expect this car to be very good and I am happy to report that it most definitely is! The bodywork is very sound and the paintwork is really very good apart from a very few minor paint blemishes such as you might expect to find in a regularly used car. The interior is also really nice with just a light patination which stops it looking over-restored - likewise the engine compartment is clean and tidy and the underside of the car looks very solid.

The two litre six cylinder triple carburettor cross-flow headed engine revs easily, pulls well and runs smoothly while maintaining strong oil pressure and good water temperature. The gearbox is easy to use and it and the transmission are both quiet, the transverse leaf independent front and torsion bar rear suspension gives a comfortable ride with good road holding, the steering is precise, the brakes are good and the car drives well on a set of correct cross ply tyres.

Bristol 400s have always been known to serious car people as being very high quality sporting cars with an impeccable pedigree. However they do not come on the market very often so if you would like to find out more about them please come and have a look but do be prepared to find yourself being very tempted by the idea of owning one.