Question

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Bryn Tirion

Hi Ronald.... I am lucky enough to own one, a 408. I joined the forum thinking there'd be a lot of expertise here, and to add a modicum of my own acquired knowledge, but you indicate that this is a forum of transients, not owners?

Transient?
If you took a little time to look around you will see that many of the members have been contributing to the discussions here for many years. Most of us own a Bristol or two and many have done for many years.

I am getting the impression that all the Bristols are indeed disappearing into private collections,

Bristols are no different from most other classic car marques. Yes, there are a few in private "collections", but the vast majority are owned by typical classic car enthusiasts. People who keep the car in their garage at home, maybe maintaining and restoring the car themselves, and driving them on sunny weekends.

[Bryn Tirion]

Originally Posted by Kevin H

Transient?
If you took a little time to look around you will see that many of the members have been contributing to the discussions here for many years. Most of us own a Bristol or two and many have done for many years.

Well, that's very reassuring, thank you. That was certainly my hope in joining the forum.

Bristols are no different from most other classic car marques. Yes, there are a few in private "collections", but the vast majority are owned by typical classic car enthusiasts. People who keep the car in their garage at home, maybe maintaining and restoring the car themselves, and driving them on sunny weekends.

Again, good news. Recently I have started to pay attention again to Bristols advertised for sale, and I was getting the impression that they were less likely than formerly to be offered by private individuals, and more of them appeared to be listed by high end Continental retailers. No £1000 basket cases either. Probably just a temporary anomaly?

[devadmin]

Bear in mind Bristol only ever made about 8000 cars (up to say 1980), and with each new model they made less and less.

Unfortunately once Tony Crook took over the company, the number of cars produced became a closely guarded secret (no doubt because the numbers were declining), so we can only make assumptions from chassis numbers for the V8 cars. For example there were apparently only around 50 411 Series fives made.

I believe there are around 2000 Bristols left, and they are spread around the world, although the majority are in the UK.

There is certainly nothing to lose to putting a "wanted" notice on sites like this and in Bristol club newsletter. (There are several Bristol owners clubs around the world).

I found my own 411 S5 through a "wanted" advert in the Bristol Owners Club Australia monthly newsletter.

[Bryn Tirion]

This is just the inevitable happening. Most interesting to me, looking on Car and Classic UK, is that the cars that 10 or 15 years ago would have been ghastly no hopers seem now to be being restored professionally and in some cases actually pre-sold!.... like a condominium that you buy on the basis of the publicist's pretty picture in hopes it will indeed be as nice as they say. Sign of a seller's market indeed! At least I no longer have to feel like the child at the animal shelter whose heart is breaking at the sight of all the unwanted puppies, when I browse the Bristol ads. But of course I actually have my Bristol, and I certainly sympathise with those who would like to get one but simply cannot find the slightly downtrodden vehicle at a bargain price any more.