412 virtues

[lansdownplace]

I find posting from my mobile is the biggest bar to good grammar (It
is spelt with an A, my english teacher literally beat that spelling
lesson into me during prep in my first week at senior school!) and
spelling. Personally I don't care how people write so long as they
write something. I am dyslexic and I never ever hand write anything
as a result, if I have to write something on flipcharts in a meeting
for example I ask someone to do it for me, it never causes me the
slightest embarrassment. One thing I have learned though, is that a
lack of formal education is absolutely no bar to success in life,
academia included (story for another place).

One of the big attractions of the Bristol brand, as they put it
themselves, is that they are cars for individuals. That is pretty
inclusive I think and it is a passion that can be indulged on pretty
much any budget. I find that wherever I turn up at in a Bristol I make
new friends. My Landie doesn't seem to offend anyone which is why I
drive that as a backup. Other than that I have found that pretty much
every other premium brand car I have driven has caused someone a
problem somewhere. I wouldn't even consider something with a prancing
dobbin on the bonnet as it is the quickest possible way of getting up
everyones' nose.

Anyway, back to the virtues of the 412. I was at the Haynes Motor
museum today enjoying the huge array of cars they have there. What I
did find very striking was that some of the most iconic cars which
photograph really well don't look that good in real life from many
angles. I was quite gutted when I saw a real Corvette Stingray for the
first time. It looks absolutely stunning in pictures, but quite odd
when viewed at the front three quarters angle from eye level. It quite
put me off the car. The american muscle cars were the same. The
Countach lacked the presence it has in photos. On the other hand, I
have always wondered what the fuss was about the Gordon Keeble, but
having seen a real on today I get it now. The Jenson CV-8 headlights
look marginally less awful than their pictures.

The 412 doesn't always photograph very well from the conventional
shooting angles, which is a shame as it has great presence and scale,
it looks fantastic from other angles particularly with the roof off or
with the hard top on. Because there are so few of them most people
won't get to see a real one. Morgan estimated that you need 3000 cars
on the road in UK to ensure that everyone will have seen one at some
point. On that basis there is probably less than a 50:1 chance
somebody will have seen a real 412 at some point.

regards

Paul

[Jervaulx]

There is something I like about the 412.

It is very different to the Bristols both before and after and seems to
create an added attraction because of it. Maybe this is my strange tastes,
but there is something I find attractive about a car that is different.
Remember the Rolls-Royce Camargue? Not exactly a looker, but I have always
adored that car. Then again, i've always liked those little box like road
sweepers that you sit inside and are narrow enough to drive along the
pavements LOL. Somebody call the psychiatrist now!!

Andrew

[lansdownplace]

It must be 70s cars. I like the AM Lagonda and the Camargue as well.
I saw a lovely navy Camargue last week for about two seconds from
behind. It was too late for me to change lanes to follow it. Maybe
these cars and the 412 represented a direction in car design that
was unique to the 70s which just never developed out because luxury
car buyers are quite conservative?

[Jervaulx]

I know the big issue with the Camargue was it's price. When it was launched
in 1975 it made the Silver Shadow look cheap by comparison. I think at the
start of the 1980's it cost £83,122 which was a massive price back then.
Was the 412 much more expensive than other Bristols around that time when in
production?

Oh and yes I like the AM Lagonda too, it's was almost space age in it's day.
A bit of a Thunderbirds kinda car.

Andrew

[mrbennetts]

Paul, I have just seen your photographs of (presumably) your own 412, which you kindly posted, and I can now understand why you like them. Your car looks wonderful, outside and in. I am now sold on the 412. Might even chuck my Shadow away (not worth much at the moment) and look for a really nice 412 like yours. Hey Ho. If only all Bristol owners understood that ownership of a Bristol is not enough; it should be well looked-after too. Too many are just tatty. Oops......that's rather contentious ! Stephen Bennetts

[lansdownplace]

Thanks Stephen, it is my one but I can only take credit for the
polishing aspect of it's appearance, If you do want a 412 I strongly
recommend you give David Bradshaw at Bristol cars a ring, the
factory warranty is unbeatable. Andrew Blow seems to be out of V8s
altogether and Brian May was advertising for cars to sell. There is
always eBay for the brave!

Paul

[lansdownplace]

I have made up a screensaver for Kevin...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36877266@N08/3518920377/

[Kevin H]

I was going to say that 412s look better in darker colours, but your car looks really good Paul, maybe it's the metallic paint that makes the difference. There's no doubt in my mind that certain colours suit certain cars.

I think the later wheels help as well, whereas I don't think they would look right on a 411.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by lansdownplace

As an aside, how many 412s currently grace our British roads?

Paul

I believe this is an oxymoron.