Fighter T

[TBC]

Originally Posted by Ronald G. Stephenson

I think any new efforts to change the Bristol, including these latest concoctions is the makings of a disaster for the company. If the new owners don't see that, then I don't think there is any hope for the future. Bristols will go the way of dozens of other makes.

That is exactly what had happened to Bristol until Toby stepped in; BCL were making no cars, one or two cars a year can hardly be classed as 'production', their only income coming from servicing and restoration.

The world has moved on from what BCL traditionally built, name one small scale manufacturer that makes a full 4-seater 2-door saloon/coupe? (Ferrari made over 6,000 cars last year, Maserati made over 5,500 and Bentley made over 4,000 so they're not eligible).

The fact is, if you want to sell cars you have to make a product that people want to buy; which today means it has to look as fast as it goes and produces 700bhp+, anything less and it's a non-starter; just look at what is on offer from the competition and that will tell you what it takes to succeed (Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Huayra, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari 599 replacement, etc).

The alternative may be to make a very fast electric supercar.....

[Markus Berzborn]

These kind of fast and flashy supercars have existed for a long time, there was the Countach in the seventies and so on.
Bristol has never been in this market and hopefully will never be.
If it is not possible to keep up the marque character of Bristol - and Bristols have always had lots of individual character - than it's better to let the marque die. Why should it be saved just for the name's sake? For 25 employees?

Regards,
Markus

Originally Posted by TBC

(Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Huayra, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari 599 replacement, etc).

[GREG]

Yes - for 25 emplyees and for the service and parts.

A lot of people squirmed at the thought of Chrysler V8's and some still do !

Looking forward to the next incarnation of Bristol, whatever shape it takes, and will judge them afterwards.

[TBC]

Originally Posted by Markus Berzborn

If it is not possible to keep up the marque character of Bristol - and Bristols have always had lots of individual character - than it's better to let the marque die. Why should it be saved just for the name's sake? For 25 employees?

I have always wondered as to exactly what the Bristol 'marque character' is?

The majority of owners drive cars made more than 30 years ago, and the people buying the cars in the 50's aren't the same as those buying the Fighter today. I would be surprised if, since 1975, BCL made more than a total of 150 cars, Fighter excluded, so who was buying these cars? Liam Gallagher?

And should BCL still be making cars with an ancient straight 6? I know that some think so; and making cars that went out of fashion the moment that 70's straight edge design did?

Obviously some owners don't believe in evolution.....

[Markus Berzborn]

In one word: understatement

Wearing your fur to the inside not to the outside, so to speak.
In other words, the exact opposite to what you proposed.

Just compare the various Bristol models from the beginning of the company on to their respective contemporaries and you get the answer to your question.
It is certainly not a matter of angular or rounded design or of six cylinder, eight cylinder or whatever engines.

That said, the Fighter suits the marque ethos just perfectly.

Regards,
Markus

Originally Posted by TBC

I have always wondered as to exactly what the Bristol 'marque character' is?

[browning l]

Originally Posted by TBC

I have always wondered as to exactly what the Bristol 'marque character' is?

Obviously some owners don't believe in evolution.....

Apparently, a lot of people wonder, more don't care, but some are comfortable.

So far as evolution in external car design in concerned, I was worn out on the wedge shape about 15 minutes after it appeared. It was asdated as fin fenders. But, then, who am I?

Just a car buyer, who was more attracted to a 411 or a 603 than nearly any car on the market today.

Of course, I'm an old man, so that explains it.

[TBC]

I have nothing against people who prefer what is past, I too would choose a 411 (series 4 or 5) over most cars today, but also look to the future with an eye to what will be, although I would never consider myself a revolutionary, I am just a realist, as painful to some as this may be....

[Ronald G. Stephenson]

Opinions vary, but there seems to be some sort of consensus reached by both sides when it comes to the future of the company (if we can call it that).
On the one hand, the 'realists' and 'conservatives' want the company to get back to it's roots. They want sensible cars, reasonably priced, very reliable, understated and elegant in their own way. Fine.
The avant garde group want modern, high-powered, outrageous cars that specialists have built for ages; truly unique examples of the latest, greatest technology available. Sure, but all these things fade, just like fashion, and many big companies have tried this route. I can name BMW, Jaguar, even Mercedes building some truly awesom cars. The market fades more rapidly than the companies can recover the R & D costs, let alone make a profit. So, who is right? Are there many Bristol followers out there that would consider buying stock in Bristol, if it was offered. I wonder. The American auto industry has seen their fortunes fade, and like Great Brittain, the government attempted to keep them afloat. Guess what? Failure.
OK, maybe it is time to admit that the market will not sustain a 'boutique' product like the Bristol, the Aston, and any other make you care to add to the list.

[Markus Berzborn]

I am not so pessimistic. The market sustains even a lot of boutique products from small manufacturers, not just in the automotive sector. It is just a question of the right marketing and the right cost management.

Regards,
Markus