And now, for something completely different, the Bristol 408! This handsome blue 1964 Bristol 408 in Raleigh, North Carolina is mostly restored, running and driving, and needs a new owner to complete the process. A (possibly original) Chrysler A series V8 powers the 408, and with only 83 built, you’ll likely have the only one wherever you go. The listing on Facebook Marketplace asks $35,000 for the privilege of getting this project across the finish line. Thanks to reader Chuck F. for spotting this interesting rare specimen.
Despite owning the car for 17 years, according to the post, the seller misidentifies the Chrysler-supplied engine as a “HEMI,” perhaps confusing this 313 cid (5.1L) A-series V8 produced from 1956 to 1967 with the early 331 cid (5.4L) Hemi produced from 1951 to 1955. Along with the engine, Mopar fans may appreciate the push-button automatic transmission, similar to Chrysler products of the day.
The long hood and short trunk give this Brit pseudo-pony-car styling, but that formal greenhouse makes it a more stately two-door sedan. The Bristol’s 2+2 seating appears to offer room for four adults to travel comfortably, which makes sense considering the 408’s 193 inch overall length, about a foot longer than a 1964 Mustang. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details.
Tan leather and a rich wooden dashboard make a fine compliment for what looks like a repaint in Bristol’s Oxford Blue. Though it’s difficult to resist British Racing Green on an English car, this color combination is top shelf as well.
Full instrumentation puts most modern cars to shame. Everything you need is readily available without paging through menus. In contrast BMW has sold vehicles with no way to observe engine coolant temperature unless you stop and engage a “secret menu.” Rubbish!
The extremely long bonnet and generous wheelbase afford twin fender compartments housing a battery on the right and a storage compartment on the left. Not to condone illegal activity but no American police officer would search these compartments during a fourth-amendment-bending search. Sadly, Americans surrender most 4th Amendment rights simply by entering a motor vehicle. Would you consider owning this Chrysler-powered Bristol 408?
these are cool cars, but lose those stupid wheels….
Ginga like those wheels !
Hopefully they don’t forget to change the air cleaner while they are at it.
Steve R
Agree Classic, the wheels suck! Does anyone have any idea where they came from? Looked at several pics of Bristol 408s online and didn’t see any with the same wheels as this one.
I would absolutely consider owning it. I never officially had my name on the title, but I did do allot of buying and selling of 70’s Jensen Interceptors in the mid 80’s, they were Chrysler powered and some what of a mess, but I had a couple nice ones and they were fun. I think this Bristol would be interesting and entertaining ,but also allot more money.
Todd, you grabbed my attention with the Python lead-in, kept me going while bashing modern manufacturing excess and capped it off reminding us about the freedoms we have given up! Great write-up and a cool car for sure.
True story! Todays cars are a nightmare in many ways., way overengineered with features no one ever uses or cares about, but if one goes bad, the whole shebang comes to a screeching halt and it is time to take out a second mortgage to pay the repair bills. The instruction manuel on my Passat is a mind boggling , quasi unreadable mumbo jumbo of answers to question I never asked and the questions that I DO have which are of everyday things, like how to adjst the clock, are tucked away somewhere between the turbo and the left taillight assembly.
Gerard, I strongly agree with your comments on auto manufacturers instructions on how to do simple things on cars today like adjusting the clock. Unfortunately, it seems the instructions for computers, phones and many other consumer electronic devices have that same issue today.
Thanks, MrBZ! It was a pleasure to feature this interesting car. Glad you liked it!
Surprising no door vent windows.
I guess it’s missing the fender mounted side mirrors.
Impressive instrumentation & interior materials.
Front wheels quite a distance from the doors!
Joe, good point about the front wheels. It almost looks like a 1960s altered wheelbase Mopar drag racer.
Requires a very close inspection of the area between the aluminum body and steel chassis. Impossible to tell how much bondo might be in the body. Easy to determine if the engine is original … check the ID plate under the hood and compare to the block.
Looks good for the money but needs careful checking. These cars are full 4 seaters, not 2+2. The doors open wide and access to rear is not difficult. Bristol claimed they rebuilt the engine and transmission before fitting into a Bristol, not sure I would believe that but a reason to hope for original motor. With low miles and usage by very discerning early owners, you’d expect the Chrysler V8 to be the original really.
Before Bristols’demise they had a Showroom in Kensington High Street,west London,and were run by a “Marmite”character called Tony Crook.Legend has it he used to pay people to dress up as tramps and sit outside the local Rolls Royce showroom.
Engine should be a Canadian 313 polyspherical head engine. Bristol avoided taxes by using Canadian-build engines.
It looks right to me, the “A” engine, 313 version. We mostly saw the 318 “Poly” in The Colonies here, and I’ve seen at least two unlikely high-power builds over the years. Check this one out https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/426-cube-318-poly-can-outgun-hemis/
this is not the original engine: should be what’s called ‘early b block’ with wavy edges on the rocker covers. I’ve had 2—410 and 407; wonderful cars. I still have the only 407 zagato
Wow, never seen one of of these before
Very interesting, but i am not a fan of RHD myself
That is a homely automobile, probably why there’s less than 90
Definitely not a hemi, this car did not need a 800lb. engine, would have been too nose heavy.
It’s a poly head I believe, 318ci semi hemi, the precursor to the 273-360 LA motors. This thing would romp with a 340 SixPack and 4spd.
The compartment in the left front wing (fender) is for stowing the spare wheel. I’ve never seen it on any other car, but makes sense, ie;
You can change the wheel without removing luggage or fumbling about under the rear, sitting on the road etc.
The wheels are not the prettiest but, they look to period to the car. I would like to see more pictures, including under the chassis. I suspect the long front end has something to do with front mid-engine balance. The fender, excuse me, wing panels remind me of the Toyota 2000 GT. You could store enough parts, oil, etc. in the left wing compartment to keep it running.
This car looks like it would be fun with a four speed stick. It’s a boulevard cruiser, now.
the fuel tank was behind the rear seatback; therefore the trunk is huge–down to where the bottom of a regular gas tank would be. these are magnificent cars and handle wonderfully. the head of the company, spun off from Bristol aircraft, was Tony crook, a Lancaster squadron leader and as good as any sportswear driver in the late ’40s/early /’50s. he even beat moss on occasion.they were designed to carry 4 6’2″ men + luggage
I’m more worried about the 28th amendment. My right to bare legs