1952' Bristol 401

1951 401 LRU586

Chassis Number 1049

Owned since 1976

Engine Number 85c/ 1923 This unit was purchased in 2010 from Bristol Cars complete with all carbs dynamo water pump etc Brian Marelli advised me it had been totally rebuilt by the late Eden Holder and had been on display in London ever since, I picked it up from the factory in Bristol not realising how soon the company was going to face its first major crisis, I bought the engine to use in another car but changed my mind.

In 2015 with the help of a good friend of mine a professional mechanic we started work on the renovation, repair and refit of LRU586.

The first task was the extensive structural repairs to the normal 401/ 403 problem areas including fitting properly pre fabricated sills between the bottom of the screen and door pillars.

All brake cylinders and pipes were replaced, front brakes relined and Alfin drums fitted on the front . The car is fitted with 405 wheels which were shot blasted powder coated in silver and fitted with new radial Vredestein tyres.

Electrics were thoroughly checked over, connectors changed, new trafficators, head and rear lights fitted with LED bulbs all round including discreet modifications at the rear to improve safety.

Engine 85c/ 1923 was fitted to the car together with a new clutch, the gearbox is original but currently fitted with a remote gear change lever which possibly could stay with the car by negotiation.

Full stainless steel exhaust fitted together with new mounts all from Bristol Cars.

The radiator was rebuilt all hoses changed and the control cables to the air vents, bonnet and fuel flap all renewed.

The seats and door cards have been retrimmed, the latter not fitted yet, the rear seat arm rests were good and will recolour nicely, head lining is good except for the area round the back window which my trimmer was going to sort out, the car will need new carpets. All instruments work except the clock. The roller blind sun visors not currently fitted are are with the car as are all the sometimes difficult and often expensive to find trim parts, this included a set of original not reproduction hub caps with excellent correct badges, a set of new chrome over riders and the bumper cover blades which need re chroming.

There is a new screen rubber with the car and the rubber to make up the sets to go round the doors and rear side windows, also a new wooden frame that goes inside the rear window to offer some extra support and to tack the head lining to.

The fuel tank was refurbished new fuel pipes, pump and loads of other work done to get to this stage. A full photographic record of the work does has been kept and the car will come with a hand and parts book and all keys, both doors lock and unlock properly as do the boot and bonnet.

The project stalled because of Covid and I now find I have other things needing my attention so progress now is very slow and my painter can not look at this now for at least a year hence the decision to offer it as is

Please feel free to contact me for any further information, this is a much better car than it looks in the photographs, my mechanic says it drives really well but the lucky bugger has been out in it more than me !

A lift is available for inspection and as I am retired this could be arranged during the week or most weekends.