1955 Bristol 405
1 of just 265 examples manufactured

Registration No: OBC 42
Chassis No: 405/4102
MOT: Exempt

• One of just 265 examples of the 405 Saloon manufactured
• Entered from the deceased estate of the well-renowned Bristol aficionado, Brian May, and in his ownership for some twenty years
• Previously owned by both Baron Waldegrave of North Hill (former Peer in the House of Lords) and The Hon. Sebastian Guinness (a member of the famous Guinness family)
• Partially restored with much of the hard work already completed
• Matching chassis and engine block numbers

Having made a major contribution to both world wars, the Bristol Aeroplane Company ended 1945 with a surplus of skilled labour and, to redeploy this resource, created a luxury car division. Under the war reparation scheme, rights were acquired regarding pre-war BMWs and their powerplants. The company was, therefore, able to produce its first vehicle - the 400 Saloon - in the autumn of 1946. The chassis was based on that of the BMW 326, its graceful body inspired by the 327, and the engine a mildly modified version of the 328 unit. Introduced in 1954, the 405 Saloon was Bristol's first and, so far, only four-door offering. Effectively a long-wheelbase version of the outgoing 404, it was also the first of the marque to feature an opening boot lid. The newcomer was powered by the 100B2 version of the company's 1971cc OHV straight-six engine. It developed some 110bhp and drove through a four-speed manual gearbox plus Laycock de Normanville overdrive. The suspension was independent at the front by a transverse leaf spring and by solid axle and torsion bars at the rear. Braking was by drums all round (front discs were optional) and steering by rack and pinion. Total 405 production comprised 265 Saloons and 43 Drophead Coupes. The model was replaced by the 406 in 1958.

Manufactured in 1955, the 405 offered left the Filton factory to be dispatched via Parrs of Leicester, being first registered on the 7^th of November that year. Exhibiting matching chassis and engine block numbers, the 1971cc straight-six overhead-valve engine block (one of the desirable seven-core examples) is accompanying but not fitted. Originally finished in Chinese Ivory with Medium Blue leather interior upholstery and specified from the factory with Michelin X tyres, a heater unit, a windscreen washer, and with fog, spot and map reading lamps, ‘OBC 42’ is known to have been in the possession of a B. B. Mills Ltd. – Napier Garage of Hazel Grove, Cheshire before passing to a J. H. Chapman Esq. of London, W.C.2 by the late 1950s. By April 1974, chassis number 405/4102 was in the ownership of Baron Waldegrave of North Hill (at the time titled The Hon. William Waldegrave), a British Conservative politician who has since served as a Cabinet minister (from 1990 until 1997), and since 1999 has been a life peer in the House of Lords.

Purchased in 1988 by The Hon. Sebastian Guinness, a member of the Guinness family, famous for its accomplishments in brewing, banking, politics, and religious ministry. Residing in New York, the accompanying correspondence between Brian May and Mr. Guinness enlightens us that he wanted to convert the 405 to left-hand-drive configuration and ship it out to the United States, as well as upgrades to engine and brakes. However, across a period of three years (from Brian receiving the car in 2000, through to 2003), Mr. Guinness did not commit to the work beginning. With unpaid storage costs owed, the Bristol was bequeathed to Mr. May in December 2003. The engine was removed for overhaul and the bodywork was subject to restoration work and repainting. The restoration subsequently stalled, and the 405 has been in storage for a number of years awaiting completion. Accompanied by the aforementioned correspondence between Brian May and Sebastian Guinness (including some amusing viewpoints/comments from Mr. Guinness on Florida's senior citizens), a copy of the Car Service Record Card’ and ‘Advice of Despatch’ sheet. Offered now as a worthy and rare 405 project in partially restored condition, with much of the hard work already completed, and with an interesting history.

Please Note: The engine block is included in the sale but does require collection from Solihull after the auction.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452