Bristol alternatives.

[Richard Levine]

True the rear side windows even in a Blenheim, cannot be opened without
either being sat in the back seat or stopping the car and climbing past a
tilted-forward front seat to unclip the window fastener. (Same again to
close.) Not ideal, but if modern conveniences are essential then a Bristol
would not be on one's short-list.


How many more postings on this subject can everyone else take? I'm near
exhausted with it!!

Can we please end it now?

Back to mainstream "Bristolling"........ People often ask me why I
choose to drive a Bristol? What is it about Bristols that attracts me? I
reply that they are made by a team of craftsmen trained in aircraft
manufacturing skills. I point to the dash and especially the instrument pod,
housing all the dials and I ask of them "Can you not picture Biggles sat
behind this wheel?" Those of them over 50 understand immediately!

What about everyone else? How do you explain to friends and family the love
of a marque that doesn't conform?

Richard

[penman]

Hi Andrew
That would have probably been a Bristol Freighter(short nose) or Super Freighter(long nose) operated by Silver City Airways.

Here is a link for a photo complete with an Aerodyne on it's way in.

http://www.aviationarchive.org.uk/st...&pnum=0&maxp=1

[Ashley James]

It's all been completely beyond me as I have a 400! I chose it
because it looked stunning and a friend went to school with the last
Sir George, so had seen the cars around for years. I normally run a
MKVI Bentley that I've rebuilt over the years and altered to suit
slightly to suit long distance touring. It's silent, exceptionally
smooth, extremely comfortable with a ride that compares favourably
with the best moderns and it's performance is similar to the 400.
Therefore the raucous, bumpy, noisy and partly developed Bristol has
been a culture shock. After a 2 year rebuild, I'm nearly finished
doing the development work that Bristol didn't!

Work has included Alfin brake drums, an anti-roll bar, a Delco Remy
distributor, more or less a 405 engine and soon an MGB clutch and
close ratio box, a brake servo and finally, correctly jetted
carburettors. Not to mention huge amounts of additional sound
deadening, new felt seals and screws to hold down all the floors etc
and the best Motor Wilton. It's no Bentley but with it's overdrive,
it'll cruise all day at 80+, it corners exceptionally well, it's heavy
to drive and it's still noisy, but pretty astonishing for a '49 car.

Modern Bristols with Chrysler engines I'm less sure about, most are a
bit aesthetically challenged to my antique tastes, but the 410 is
really quite nice, I like Sam Frost's Royal Blue one with what R-R
call St James red hide, probably Conollys Vaumol. That's the one I'd
modernise if buy another.

Ashley

[legavroche]

''Bristolling''

Richard, I'm with you 100% on this one - it's in the blood!
As for explanations, it is sometimes difficult to explain the
inexplicable feeling we get for this marque.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by penman

Hi Andrew
That would have probably been a Bristol Freighter(short nose) or Super Freighter(long nose) operated by Silver City Airways.

Here is a link for a photo complete with an Aerodyne on it's way in.

http://www.aviationarchive.org.uk/st...&pnum=0&maxp=1

This photo is already on this site, along with some other nice period photos in this album