The fairly unknown Bristol cars are my favourites. The 405 model is the only
4 doors' limousine the manufacturer has built and I bought this car in 1997. It has undergone some restoration, however, remains quite an original example of the car manufactured in 1956.
More pictures of my Bristol 405 can be viewed by clicking on the picture.
Currently I am the Secretary for
Continental Europe of the Bristol Owners Club,
which pleads the interests of owners and aficionados of the cars produced by the
former Car Division of Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC) in Bristol. Since the
late 60s Bristol Cars Ltd. has continued to build exclusive luxury cars for
individuals. To celebrate the Centenary of BAC in 2010, a
"Bristols-to-Bristol Run"
is organised; an event well worth to participate in for the owners of any
Bristol engined car, no matter what year of manufacture !
Participating in Classic Car Events is always
fun. To show your own car, but also very much to meet the owners of
many interesting cars. To view an impression of events
attended by me, and some that I should have been at, please click
In the former Sovjet Union, the Pabieda (Stalin's "Victory"
car) was considered the ultimate luxery machine. The picture on the right
shows a fine example , which was parked near my home in Tashkent. Here, I had
ample opportunity to buy one for myself
and even got out to get a closer look at a
convertable ZIL, which was available for sale, but I couldn't decide whether
it would really be a good investment. However, I took plenty of
pictures of the cars, which we encountered in
regular local trafficly. It makes a varied display of the cars, that were
available behind the Iron Curtain. If the 'Western'
standard of classic cars would apply in this region, i.e. cars over 25 years, some 75%
of all cars driving around qualify. To no surprise, because, due to low humidity
in Central Asia, cars hardly rot
and will last forever.
The Bristol 402 model has been one of the most
glamourish convertibles of the 50ties. Nicknamed the 'Hollywood Special',
movie stars and other celebrated individuals chose this car to cruise the
boulevards in California and France. With similar looks to the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500
and other Italian thoroughbred cars, it shows her Touring pedigree. Only 22
cars were manufactured and just a few are remaining in a roadworthy condition.
I bought my car in 2001 and, since, participated in several classic car events
where I received a lot of interest and admiration from fellow enthusiasts.
Passing through villages in Italy really make the autofiosi applaude and cheer
............. I cannot decide whether I like the car better with the hood up
or down .....
More pictures of my Bristol 402, please click
here.
Bristol Cars Ltd of Filton (near
Bristol), which still manufactures new cars
today, exchanged their own 6-cylinder
engine for a Chrysler 8-cylinder powerplant in 1961 and the cars produced match the grand
style envisioned by the owners of the company. The 411 series 5 embodies most of the development stages
since the early 60-ties and cars manufactured now are perfecting this model. The Bristol Fighter is a new development building on the company's racing experience
and the desire to deliver a sport's car enticing the most demanding
customers. The Fighter's T model with its powerful 1012 horsepower engine belongs to the very top of sporty roadcars.
Click on the picture on the left for more pictures of the Chrysler engined
Bristols.
