New Member with 411 S3 restoration project

[exgasman]

My last Bristol was a 412 S1 about 15 years ago and listening to your posts almost makes me long for a little spanner work on a Bristol once again.
Very sad to hear about the company perhaps some Billionaire will buy it for a hobby,I still have voice messages from Tony Crook stored on my computer.
Anyhow have fun.

[Richard Leslie Phillips]

For those who wish to follow my progress in the renovation and restoration, then click here

Introduction -Why buy a Bristol 411?

Any feedback, advice etc most gratefully received. I know I am going to need a great deal of help with this one....

[Janne]

Not that it matters, butI believe that it is the Series 5 that isthe most sought after, and the one bristol Ltd used to convert to Series 6

And I have a feeling you does not need much advice from us, but we from you!!!

Edit: Excellent site you have!

A question: The veneer, is it really that bad?
If it is only cracked and lifting, that can be repared and relaquered by a furniture restorer. Sometimes it is better to keep the original that making alll new.
For example the brown edges can be difficult to get as good as the original. You might polish away too much, and lose the even edges, get the wrong angle etc.

Just an idea...

[Sam410]

Originally Posted by Janne

Not that it matters, butI believe that it is the Series 5 that isthe most sought after, and the one bristol Ltd used to convert to Series 6

Well that depends, some say the Series 2 is the most sought after as it has the nicer (in their view) front end. Bristol would make a Series 6 of whatever you wanted – I had heard they were doing Series 6 conversions of both a 410 and a 603 for customers.

[Richard Leslie Phillips]

website now amended accordingly - and I WILL need lots of input and advice so please keep it coming.

Got all the dashwork off at weekend...has anyone upgraded instrument lights to LEDs? We do it in the Astons to reduce drain, heat and improve visibility at night. Just an idea....

[Richard Leslie Phillips]

OK - here we go...first of many no doubt.

Anyone know the source of the chrome rims to the front headlamps? I have one poor one which may need rechroming but a replacement would probably end up cheaper. Might just replace all 4 if a reasonable price. They do look familiar but cannot place them at present.

Is there a source for the chrome finisher clips that cover the windscreen gaps centre top and bottom? They look like E type.

Anyone upgraded the door mirrors to electric? - I thought XJS or S3 XJ6 would fit perfectly with the toggle switch in drivers door. Views on this? I do find it rather difficult not having remote on the passenger side.

Centre badges for hubcaps. Should these be plain chrome or coloured eg orange?

Sensible wheel upgrades also considered - I have seen Jag wheels on a couple of 411s. Is the PCD the same?

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Richard Leslie Phillips

Is there a source for the chrome finisher clips that cover the windscreen gaps centre top and bottom? They look like E type.

Don't know a source (but would try Bristol Cars Services, always). Mine don't fit well and I have been told it is because the windscreens have been removed at some stage and they have bent the underlying brass channel out of shape when re-fitting.

Anyone know the source of the chrome rims to the front headlamps?

No, but I could do with one as well.

Anyone upgraded the door mirrors to electric? - I thought XJS or S3 XJ6 would fit perfectly with the toggle switch in drivers door. Views on this? I do find it rather difficult not having remote on the passenger side.

Yes. see http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/8...trim-mods.html

That's not my car in the photos (sadly), but it's where I first saw them.

Centre badges for hubcaps. Should these be plain chrome or coloured eg orange?

Depends which wheels you have. I gather the plain chrome are hard to come by (I have a set but theyre not for sale). I bought a set of orange ones from Bristol Cars Services about 10 years ago, circa £25 each at the time. I currently have Avon wheels on mine with the pentagon shaped badges, which I believe were made specifically for those wheels.

Sensible wheel upgrades also considered - I have seen Jag wheels on a couple of 411s. Is the PCD the same?

I would go for the Blenheim (S2?) wheels used on the S6. I think they suit the car really well and they are Bristol wheels.