1955 Bristol 404

As part of Germany's post-WW2 reparations, the Bristol Aeroplane Company obtained the rights to BMW's automotive designs. Thus, the early post-war Bristol vehicles incorporated the chassis, engine, and bodyshell of the pre-war 326, 327, and 328 models. Using its background in the aviation industry, Bristol refined the BMW components, used the Milanese coachbuilder Touring's 'Superleggera' (lightweight) technique, and smoothed the designs in its wind tunnel. The bespoke hand-crafted automobiles were revered for their high-quality engineering and attention to detail.

Both the Bristol 404 and 405 models were introduced in 1953 with 52 examples of the former and 308 of the latter built. The 404 rested on a short 96-inch wheelbase platform and was built as a two-seat coupe. The 405 used a 114-inch wheelbase chassis and was built as a four-seat, four-door saloon or as a drophead coupe. The steel and ash frame and horse-shoe-shaped chassis were clothed with lightweight aluminum body panels. The BMW-based, 2.0-liter (1971cc; 66mm bore and 96mm stroke), six-cylinder engine had pushrod operated inclined valves, short inlet and exhaust ports and delivered 125 horsepower in the Model 404. The gearbox was a four-speed manual unit with a first-gear flywheel. The steering was by a rack and pinion unit, and stopping power (in the 404) was by hydraulic drums. Front disc brakes soon became optional.

The hand-built Bristol 404 was expensive, and just 52 (possibly 53) examples were built.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2022