1978 Bristol 603

Registration No: BWS 47S
Chassis No: 7932096
MOT: October 2025

• 5.9 Litre V8 'Sports' guise example
• Uprated with an Edelbrock carburettor, inlet manifold and cylinder heads
• 1 of an estimated 65 made
• Recommissioned last year following a decade or so of dray storage
• MOT'd but with aged cosmetics

Responsible since its 1946 inception for a succession of highly capable and individualistic grand tourers, Bristol has always remained aloof from the constraints of contemporary automotive fashion. Introduced in 1976, the 603 proved no exception. Available in either 5.2 litre E (Economy) or 5.9 litre S (Sports) guises, it was far more exclusive than its rivals from Bentley and Aston Martin. Something akin to a (Detroit) iron fist in a velvet glove, the 603's typically restrained two-door saloon bodywork belied its strong performance potential. With 172bhp and 270lbft of torque on tap from the larger of the two Chrysler supplied V8 engines, it was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and 135mph. Tempered by independent coil and wishbone front and torsion bar rear suspension, the 603 was easily reined in by powerful all round disc brakes Equipped with automatic transmission, power assisted steering and air conditioning as standard, it underwent a host of revisions in 1978 to become the Series 2 (including losing the smaller powerplant option). Distinguished by its new wheels and revised ventilation system, this updated version remained in production until 1982.

Finished in Navy Blue with Black leather upholstery, ‘BWS 47S’ is understood to have benefited from significant expenditure between 2000 and 2012 including the fitting of a new automatic gearbox, Edelbrock RPM inlet manifold, Edelbrock four-barrel carburettor and Edelbrock Performa cylinder heads plus attention to its brakes and suspension. Recommissioned last year following a decade or so in dry storage, the four-seater had its fuel system flushed, brake fluid changed and engine top-end overhauled. New components installed encompassed the battery, thermostat, air filter housing, rear brake servo, brake pads and two tyres etc. Believed but not warranted to have covered circa 114,000 miles from new, the 603 subsequently passed a MOT test on October 8^th 2024. Said to ‘run well’ but to be ‘showing its age cosmetically’, ‘BWS 47S’ represents a very affordable entry to the world of V8-powered Bristol ownership. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.

**PLEASE NOTE** Since the catalogue has gone to print, the vendor has made us aware of previous works carried out including:

APRIL 2000

• New heads/camshaft
• New gearbox
• New axle
• Brake pipes
• Master cylinder
• New shock absorbers
• Half shaft bearings
• New wheels & tyres

c.£9000

OCTOBER 2000

• Reline boot
• Recover seat
• Servo
• Clock
• New alternator

c.£1300

APRIL - DECEMBER 2004

• Headlamp switch
• Prop UJ
• Rocker gasket
• New screen
• Breather pipe

c.£2000

MARCH 2007

• Axle bushes
• Discs
• Exhaust
• Calipers

c.£3100

NOVEMBER - MARCH 2011 – 2012

• Front springs
• Servo
• 4 tyres
• Service
• New heater
• Anti-rollbar
• Core plugs
• New alternator
• Clean transmission

c.£1400

2024 – 2025

• Clean fuel system
• Brake fluid change
• Top end strip/valve rebuild
• New air filter housing
• Brake servo
• New battery
• New thermostat
• New pads
• Free off fuel sender
• Antifreeze
• Oil filter
• MOT
• 2 New tyres

c.£2500

For more information, please contact:
Oliver Fernyhough-Martin
oliver.fernyhough-martin@handh.co.uk
07483 361000