1949' Bristol 400 Sports Saloon

1949 Bristol 400 (1950 model) car number 497, chassis number 461, engine number 85A 1705.

This car was exported to Commonwealth Motors in Melbourne (no longer trading) on the 27th of July 1950 and sold to a gentleman in Brisbane where it resided most of its life.
I personally imported the car back to the UK in 2011, the paintwork had faded somewhat and the interior was vinyl, so I decided to have a bare metal respray and have it re-trimmed in leather, some minor repairs were needed to one front wing, but no rust was found anywhere. I had the car repainted in the original dark burgundy and reassembled with new piping and seals. The original steering wheel I had leather bound to give it a very nice feel. The roof lining is West of England cloth which did not require replacement (no longer available). All the woodwork restored professionally to a very high standard. Being exported to Australia this car was fitted with the Continental rear opening screen and triple SU carburettors, (brake servo and electric cooling fan a later upgrade). The wheels I had replaced with Bristol 405 wheels which are 1 inch wider and the same diameter running on radial tyres, this transforms the drive and it handles very well now. A stainless steel exhaust system is also fitted. The original HMV radio is with the car but will need modifying to receive current stations. The engine and gearbox had been professionally rebuilt in Australia so didn’t require any attention and the car runs very well with good performance having covered less than 2000 miles since.
I have not used the car since the full restoration so it is pristine, I am reducing my collection and I will probably regret selling this one, I have too many cars.
Offered for sale at £79950.