Bristol alternatives.

[jimfoz]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

I agree with you 100% Andrew.

For another example of laziness you only have to look at the air conditioning in the V8 Bristols. I don't know what they are doing today but even as late as the Blenheim 2 they were still using those ugly, inefficient "cassette" type air conditioners slung under the dash, which date back to the early 1970s. That's just a joke in a car in that price bracket.

The lack of development in the V8 Bristols is even more obvious when you look at the chassis, suspension and the power train.

However, rather than laziness this may have been down to economics. My guess is that the company was in terminal decline by the time Mr Silverton came along.

As for whether things like air con and electric rear windows matter, it all depends upon on how you use the car. If you keep your car under wraps in a dehumidified garage and drive it only on sunny Sundays then of course it doesn't matter and you should probably strive for originality. But if you want to use a classic car as a daily driver then a few niceties become more important.

I'm all for subtle/sympathetic modernisation of classic cars if they are to be used as a daily driver. The thread about electric rear windows is here .

In reference to this it is interesting to note that although Bristols historically have always been an aquired choice they were at least a competitive choice in the 50's and 60's and compared well to potential opposition such as Jensen, Facel Vega, Jaguar, Maserati, ISO, Rolls (maybe even some Ferraris) etc. I suppose they used to have access to BAC finance for a time, and Tony Crook, when he sold his successful consessionaries and bought into the company in the 1960's was probably the Toby Sliverton of the day so the cars were still being pretty well developed for a time during the 60's and early 70's.
You're right about the a/c system. I know it allows drivers to simultaniously cook their feet and freeze their eyeballs, but surely a bought-in smaller and more efficient dual zone climate system from the likes of Behr would be 'quite easy' to engineer into the car?

[Ashley James]

I love my Rovers as much as anyone and I've had many over the years,
mostly P4s, but P6's, Land Rovers and now a 75 with less than 40,000
miles on the clock. Rovers and Lord Hives friendship with the Wilkes
brothers was the main reason for the MKVI Bentley being the best car
R-R ever made after the Ghost. He understood how well they were made
and how profitable. R-R only profited from Government re-armament
contracts then!

The only thing my 400 has in common with a Rover is that it's a car,
albeit and eccentric one. It's heavy and old fashioned to drive, but
corners and handles like a modern, makes blood curdling noises and it
looks a bit like the some of the Pre-War streamliners. And it's
anything but airtight! I've secreted draught excluders where I can,
the heater does work, but if I want to see through the windscreen I
have open a side window as one always did with old cars. The opening
rear window is a blessing in the summer.

I'll do my tour of France in it next year when the 80+ cruising speed
will be useful and then I'll make up my mind about it. Therefore if
you're over there end May early June, or if you'd like to join us
(there are a few beds left see www.kda132.com for shortly to appear
details), keep an eye open for a Cambridge Grey (Apple Green metallic)
400 with occupants wearing bright yellow ear defenders!

Ashley