NEW CAR AGAIN.... 1956 Bristol 405 CHASSIS - 4106. 405GMT

AndrewA · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-21, 08:05 AM

Saw this one on car and classic https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1354795
the two tone paint really suits the shape IMHO.
On the engine front - if you're not completely wedded to originality - a more 21st Century solution could be in order - electric, hybrid or I note there's a company in Cornwall doing Hydrogen conversions for cars!
Best
Andrew

Raymond · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-21, 10:35 AM

I don't suppose an XK engine would fit would it.? My guess is it won't. The only easy fit I have heard of is the Volvo red block. There are doubtless others??

Personally, I would try and find the right thing ... which might be a like be looking for the Holy Grail.!

Geoff Kingston · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-21, 10:31 PM

The XK will fit but not easy and not the best option, Triumph 2000/2500 not a bad conversion also Rover V8 but the one that has always struck me as a nice option was the Daimler V8 250 especially if mated to a manual box.
For the ultimate 401 it would have to be the BMW V8 of the same period going to the capacity and power that AFN wanted but these engines are expensive now.
I find it rather ironic that cars like the 403 and the 401 that sold earlier this year for similar money sell easily yet I had no interest in a running useable 401 I offered for sale all summer in the mid £20k's and only one view and a very poor offer on a car which has had a lot more done to it and for which I would take £32k for, you would never get either of the auction cars to similar condition for the difference, funny old world.
Geoff.

Raymond · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-21, 11:01 PM

Geoff. I expect you will find a buyer before too long. If you don't mind me saying, I think some interior shots might help and maybe, if possible, a correct type steering wheel fitted. If it were me I would strip it down to bare metal so as not to look like it's been quite so much in the wars.

I have read about the Triumph 2000 engine being suitable.
As it happens I had a GT6 for 38 years so know that engine intimately. I am also familiar with the XK engine but somehow never worked on the 250 V8. I understand it can be very smooth - so a good alternative if the original is not available.

David C · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-21, 12:46 AM

I always thought a BMW CS engine would be ideal, keeping it in the family. They used to be cheap and readily available in the '80s when I was seriously considering such a project.

Raymond · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-21, 09:47 AM

There seem to be quite a few cars around missing their engine.

Geoff Kingston · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-21, 09:08 PM

Raymond,
Thanks for giving me some more work to do! I started stripping the paint down in the late 70's must not rush these things! the red and blue, wings straight out of a rattle can as I was trying to decide on a colour.
When I bought the car it was yellow, initial stripping was with Nitromors but my painter told me not to use chemical paint stripper on aluminium as it absorbs it to a certain extent and it can ruin a paint job. Using a DA sander I must admit I was being very cautious because they mark the surface but watching him strip and prepare the alloy panels on my Range Rover I am going when I get a chance try and get most of the rest of the paint off and the few bits of alloy repairs done. To get a decent interior shot the re trimmed door cards need to go back on. The steering wheel which was on the car when it was advertised in motor sport in 1968 I have failed to find an obvious way of removing, the top of the column has been shortened so I have left it where it is, have another column and a decent correct wheel to go with the car.
One thing with this wheel as well it is a smaller diameter, this makes the steering a bit heavier but more direct even a slight input gets instant reaction which actually makes the car more involving to drive.
A very good friend of mine Mike Brockway has a 403 which after an engine failure a few years ago was fitted with a Triumph 2000 engine and box, about a year ago the engine was changed to a rebuilt 2500 unit on carbs, he loved the car with either engine in and preferred it to his other 403 with its standard 100A power unit, he sold that car a few years ago but will never part with the Triumph engined car, the nice thing about it as well is it sounds lovely and I was told was not a difficult conversion.
Geoff.