Bristol: The Inside Story

[Ashley James]

Haines Books are pretty average IMO and there is only so much
information available.

Ash

[TLF799R]

I love the way you are so open minded and never pre-judge anything!!!
In actual fact Christopher has done a great deal of work on the book and
has spoken to many current bristol owners and figures in the company. I'm
surprised he hasn't spoken to such a reknowned expert as yourself???

Philippa

[penman]

Hi
It is presumably the same book as Amazon UK shows as Bristol A very British story.
They have it at £35 for pre-order due 8 Oct 2009, normal price £50.

[penman]

Hi
I have had an email today, from Amazon, saying that there is a delay on this book.

Originally Posted by penman

Hi
It is presumably the same book as Amazon UK shows as Bristol A very British story.
They have it at £35 for pre-order due 8 Oct 2009, normal price £50.

[lansdownplace]

Amazon.com are quoting the 1st of February 2010 which is a date I
have heard quoted recently

[geo]

Whilst Haynes is still stating October (and not possible to pre-order). The jacket looks as if it has been retitled as A Very British Story

A very British story
By: Christopher Balfour Christopher Balfour

First manufactured in 1946 and still produced today, Bristol cars have become a uniquely British institution that is celebrated in this comprehensive history, written by a dedicated owner of nearly 50 years' standing. These hand-built cars are owned by car connoisseurs who appreciate their fine engineering, handling, reliability, longevity and everyday practicality, and also savour the driver experience. This lavish book explores the details of the company's complex and fascinating history, and will appeal to all owners, past and present, as well as the many admirers of these cars. .

This book is due to be published in OCTOBER 2009. We regret that it is not possible to pre-order this title but if you would like to be notified when it becomes available please call +44 (0)1963 442030, or e-mail your contact details plus the book details (please put the Book Number in the subject line) to our Customer Services Dept.

Hardback, 280 x 230mm, 320 pages, 64 colour & 300 b&w illustrations
ISBN: 9781844254071
Book No: H4407
£50.00

[jimfoz]

I have just received my copy of this book from Amazon just now! Cant wait to start reading it.....

I have only just flicked through and first impressions are that it is a very substantial, heavy, well produced book, lots of pics I haven't seen before and the writing looks comprehensive. I am by no means an expert on the cars so I am sure the information I glean from this book will substantially add to my knowledge.

Well done Christopher - I can imagine a car company like Bristol is a particularly challenging subject to write about as lots of people seem have lots of different information about different cars, and I hope you are pleased with the result yourself.

[mrbennetts]

Well said, Phillipa. You beat me to it !

[412usa]

I'm not sure you are being fair Kevin. Christopher has had access to some new and unique info and I suggest that we wait to see the book before comment.



Peter

[Nick Challacombe]

Nick Challacombe.

Home phone

[Ashley James]

You'll be telling me that Setright's book was historically correct
next and that Charles Oxley's Book is a good one too.

I'm mean no offence to Christopher, but so far the early History of
Bristol Cars has best been recorded by Jenks in his book on AFN
entitled From Chain Gang to Turbocharger. The rest is full of mistakes.

I do hope the book is a success though.

Ashley

[TLF799R]

"You'll be telling me that Setright's book was historically correct
next and that Charles Oxley's Book is a good one too."
Sorry Ashley, but at what point did I say that???

I simply think why not actually see it before running it down - is that
such a radical idea?

Philippa

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by 412usa

I'm not sure you are being fair Kevin. Christopher has had access to some new and unique info and I suggest that we wait to see the book before comment.

Peter

I'd already ordered a copy anyway, although I ordered it from Amazon.com and they are marketing it under a different title - "Bristol: The Inside Story", which suggests a bit of a "scoop", i.e information we have never seen before. This is where my skepticism lies, because $39.66 seems very cheap for a new hardback marque history that contains new factual information.

Hopefully it's based on a candid interview with Tony Crook without the marketing hype, rather than a collection of anecdotes from people who idolise the company.

The proof of the pudding will no doubt be in the eating.

Kevin

PS. I suspect I paid US$, not AUD as I said in my earlier post.

[RGSchmitt]

Hi all -

Amazon US state they will have it for $39.66 US, but other sites show
12/2009 or 2/2010 as the publication date. That's a lot of time to
speculate about its value.

Bob

[Sam410]

Originally Posted by Ashley James

Haines Books are pretty average IMO and there is only so much information available.

Ash

Christopher has interviewed widely and conducted original research for this book, and I know has had access to previously unpublished information and pictures. It should be much more than simply a rewrite of previously published myths I look forward to reading it.

[shirlaw n]

Has Mr Balfour had access to any available list of "original" build sheets of all the 2 litre cars ?? One hears from time to time that such a Cardboard Index survives,but appears to be "off limits" to us ordinary folk.Over the past few years I was able to obtain accurate build sheets (for a nominal sum) for my MGB Rover P6B and RR Silver Shadow,all now sold on.I have heard a whisper that it is possible a very early 401 saloon was owned by the late Queen Mother.Thats all folks norman

[mrbennetts]

Shirlaw.......I too obtained the build sheets for my Silver Shadow, which are most interesting (to me !). The wonderful RR Club has them all. You may be 100% sure that Mr Crook has one of the most intersting customer and car files in the industry. He told me that there are too many names to release, even if he wrote an autobiogrphy. I expect that would be a good seller !
I do not think HM Queen Mother ever owned a Bristol. She went in for Jags ,Daimlers and Fords........always needed 4 doors, not being a driver.

[Ashley James]

I do think that the early history is what's needed and so far not
appeared thanks to Mr Crook's intransigence, assuming records exist.

Ash

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Ashley James

I do think that the early history is what's needed and so far not
appeared thanks to Mr Crook's intransigence, assuming records exist.

Ash

I believe the early history is quite well documented, there are even different accounts of what happened at the beginning depending on which book you read. Mr Crook had much less influence back then, when he was first a racing car driver then one of numerous Bristol dealers.

It seemed to be only when Mr Crook became an owner of the company that the secrecy began and Bristol shunned all of it's dealers. That coincided with the beginning of the V8 cars, which is not what I would call their early history.

To my mind there are a number of distinct eras in Bristol's car making history, as follows;

1. AFN/Bristol Aeroplane Company
2. Bristol Aeroplane Company
3. Bristol Cars - White/Crook
4. Bristol Cars - Crook
5. Bristol Cars - Crook/Silverton
6. Bristol Cars - Silverton

Hopefully this new book will shed more light on eras 3,4 & 5. Production numbers would be a good starting point!

As for build sheets, I'm sure RR and Bentley had just as many if not more high profile customers as Bristol.