Bristolshite for sale

[Des]

I'm going to punt this soon, offering here first. It's the sad remains of a 1953 403, been engine raped a long time ago. I bought it a couple of years ago, described as pretty good but wasn't, I had someone collect it for me because I was away, then in my frustration hid it under a catpiss tarp until today. It's a rolling shell with a lot of parts in boxes, steers but no brakes, looks to have had maybe a few half arsed attempts at fixing up, but needs a rebuild. I think the only hope for this car to ever see the road again will be a modern drivetrain, the correct engine and box, if they can be found, will be very expensive. Half of the 'value' of this thing, when I bought it, was the registration, while I'll usually walk away as soon as 'valuable cherished reg' gets mentioned, I regrettably didn't. Anyways, it will be MOT exempt in about 4 Months, so that should help it shift, and it's the same PCD as Merc and Audi 5 stud so plenty of choice for nasty chavvy rimzzz to set off a nice satin black blowover. Price, 2 grand.

 

[DSdriver]

They have wonderful styling (no I can't buy it - note I didn't say that I wouldn't want it).

Two questions

1. Is it painted silver or is the bodywork polished aluminium?

2. If you stand on the back bumper is there enough leverage to get the front wheels off the ground?

[Rocket88]

Exactly the opposite styling to the Renown then!

[mk1_4dr]

It could make a really interesting car that, the possibilities for different drivetrains are endless.

 

Japanese 6cly turbo power would be a giggle, or 3.5 RV8 for a cruiser, although, I would (perversely) be finding a big Iveco diesel lump for mingebag-class.

 

GLWTS

[Rocket88]

I think one of the staffers on one of the classic car mags had one of these with a straight six diesel something-or-other in it.

[scruff]

If it's the chap I'm thinking of it is a BMC diesel from a London taxi - Class!

[Rocket88]

Hardly fits in with Bristol's aeronautical design ethos, does it?

[nigel bickle]

Thats Theo Gilham, who drives the crustiest road legal Bristol I've ever seen. Lives on the edge of Bognor (-about 10 miles from here); wouldnt sell me a diesel Gaz he had many moons back -valued it at about twice how I saw it. Its still not roadworthy....

 

That is lovely. Sadly -not for me right now. Good luck with it.

[vulgalour]

want. I hope you find a good home for it. Sadly I can't offer to buy it from you. I'd love to own a Bristol one day.

[Angrydicky]

That is HOT. Looks a good price for a Bristol as well.

[wuvvum]

Now that really is a thing of beauty. If I thought that there were an icecube's chance in hell of me ever being able to get it back on the road, I'd be desperately trying to raise the cash to buy it by now.

[skattrd]

Now that really is a thing of beauty. If I thought that there were an icecube's chance in hell of me ever being able to get it back on the road, I'd be desperately trying to raise the cash to buy it by now.

x2

 

I think a Rover V8 & autobox from a would suit it, and I know where I could get them. God knows how much work would be involved though, all I know is its way beyond me

[vulgalour]

Predictable and reliable V8 is probably the sensible route, as is Iveco lump. Personally, I'd be hunting out a donor Mazda rotary powered car because I couldn't bring myself to put an ordinary engine in a Bristol. I wish I had 10K to burn through to get this project rolling

[CreepingJesus]

Would a more modern-ish BMW 6 (particularly the 3.5 from the old M5, with the dog-leg Getrag box) not be a very suitable choice? Probly piss off the BMW owners, more than the Bristol mob.

If I'd the money and the space, I'd do it. 'Tis to my detriment that I haven't enough of either

All the best with the sale, Des.

[eddyramrod]

As above, really. Would love to, know fully well that I can't and probably never would. 1953, hmmm.... flathead Ford V8?

 

Oh and best of luck, obviously Des.

[CreepingJesus]

Surely, in the spirit of post-war reparations an' all that, it should be the Simca flathead you'd want? Although, buying in American goods at great cost, has a spirit of the age too, so how about one of Ford's eye-wateringly expensive 427 OHC repros?

[Des]

It's painted silver Mr. DS, but the bonnet is bare, have yet to try standing on the rear bumper, which reminds me the front bumper was removed when it was trailered, I better make sure I haven't lost it. Alternative engines can be a bit of a game with these, the original Bristol 6 is tall and short, most other sixes will only fit with butchering, I doubt the BMW lump would go, although the Triumph 6 was popular in olden days, Rover V8 has been done lots but I don't think it would suit the car, a revvy 4 cyl would be more like it, a nice K series with a Ford type 9 behind it would be fun. Ages ago, just out of interest, I lined up a Bristol, a Saab 3 door, and a tape measure, they were proportionally more similar than they were different, both narrow, tall and long, front and rear track near enough, bulkheads in about the same place, both have the sill area sculpted away to clear where the doors reach all the way to the underside, Bristol wheelbase a foot longer though.

[Rocket88]

Working on the rather vague assumption that the original four stroke Saab engine was closely related to a Triumph unit, perhaps a 16 valve Sodomite sprint engine would be a good match?

[michiel]

Buy this, take engine out, put in Bristol.

[Rocket88]

Buy this, take engine out, put in Bristol.

 

Best get in before the ovalists...........