Bristol 400 Wanted

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Ronald G. Stephenson

Perhaps I should change hobbies and take up hunting?

Yeehaw! I thought your hobby was pontificating on internet forums.

Marcus, fortunately the vast majority of members of this forum understand that "cash buyer" means someone who has the funds available for immediate purchase without the need a loan or a part exchange.

For what it's worth, I found my Bristol through an owner's club "wanted" ad. As far as I am aware the previous owner (who is on this forum) was not actively trying to sell the car and I would have never known of it's existence had I not posted the wanted ad. I have also bought two book collections from other Bristol owners as a result of a "wanted" ad.

So while an insignificant minority on this forum might snipe at your original post, rest assured the majority will take your post seriously and may well contact you if they have a suitable car to sell or know of someone else who does.

Finally, I am sure we are all grown up enough to know that caveat emptor always applies when buying old cars.

[John Henry]

Marcus,
It is probably not what you want, but i have a 400 sitting in my shed without the original engine and gearbox. The body is in good condition. The interior is all there, but requires restoration. My intent was to restore it, but my current situation is going to make that difficult. I may be talked in to selling it for the right price. The engine is a holden six and is currently dismantled ready for removal.

[Marcus]

Gentlemen, having posted this 'Wanted' request some 5-6 weeks ago, I was contacted by 'one of our number' who subsequently acted as intermediary to a certain party, who was coming to the realisation that his concours winning '400' would probably, next year, have to go to another owner.

As a result, a diplomatic, civilised and above all totally discrete dialogue was initiated that resulted in the transference of a magnificent '400' to my ownership, exactly as I had hoped and EXACTLY as member Kevin H suggested it would.

There were no avaricious agents involved, no predators, no cowboys and money laundering was not a factor; simply a good old fashioned one-to-one deal with which I am able to confidently say, that both the seller and the buyer (me) are perfectly satisfied.

[Ronald G. Stephenson]

Congratulations! Always good to hear of a happy outcome on a search and purchase. My thinking now is to find the car of my dreams through careful networking and not rely on advertisements or searching the web. Someone in the club will eventually learn of a 409, in the States, that has come up for sale. I have found a couple, but they are completely out of my price range. Importing one is not an option, but I am prepared to travel in order to put my hands on the car and then decide.

[GREG]

Congratulations indeed ! It sounds like you have managed to navigate through the minefield unscathed !

If indeed the minefield ever existed.

Welcome to the world of Bristol ownership.

[Ronald G. Stephenson]

After to much research and too much searching, it looks as though a car will have to come up on it's own, will be of no value or use to the owner, and be sold for pennies. Right!

[GREG]

This 409 looks a good example

Bristol 409 For Sale, classic cars for sale uk (Car: advert number 134433) | Classic Cars For Sale

I don't understand why importing is not an option as the costs are not so high ?

I think that Marcus was quite precise with his requirements and this indicated a price range. I think if you indicated what condition and price range is acceptable, more responses may come.

Are you stuck on a 409 ? or would a 408 , 410 , 411 S1 be acceptable ?

As there are only 4 or 5 409's in the USA it's hardly surprising that you are having trouble finding one.

A cash buyer in Europe is always welcome :-)

[Ronald G. Stephenson]

Thanks for the leads, but I am not willing to go through the hassles of trying to register a car here with a European title. I went through that with a XK120 Jaguar from Belgium a few years back. Our motor vehicle registration people had no idea as to what to do..
The idea of a 407 or 408 is a good one, and there is not much difference in the models. I am willing ot consider any condition, so long as it is in the States and has some paperwork.