1960 Bristol 406
1 of just 174 examples manufactured

Registration No: 3632 UG
Chassis No: 406/5343
MOT: Exempt

• 1 of just 174 examples of the 406 manufactured
• Entered from the deceased estate of the well-renowned Bristol aficionado, Brian May, and in his ownership for some fourteen years
• Understood to have had one private owner from new before Mr. May
• Recorded mileage of just 54,486 miles
• Correct type 110-Series engine fitted

At the end of WW2, the Bristol Aeroplane Company found themselves with a surplus of skilled labour and a reduced order book. As a result, the Filton-based business decided to diversify into the prestige car market and, benefitting from the reparations benefit of pre-War BMW designs, were able to quickly develop their own car; in the autumn of 1946, the Bristol Car Division unveiled the 400 saloons powered by a Filton-built, mildly modified version of the BMW 328 engine. The 406 two-door saloon introduced in 1957 was the last of the Filton-engined Bristols, its OHV straight-six pushrod engine fed by triple Solex carburettors having been enlarged to 2216cc to try to compete with the more modern powerpacks offered by Bristol's competition, and now known as the 'Bristol 110 Series'. It was identified by the absence of the then-familiar bonnet scoop of its predecessors and was one of the first saloon cars of its class to feature disc brakes on all four wheels.

One of just 174 examples of the 406 manufactured, this 1960 example was dispatched from the Filton factory on the 1^st of June that year, ‘3632 UG’ was supplied new to Bolton of Leeds Ltd. Specified from the factory with a heater unit, windscreen washer, cigar lighter and both fog and spot lamps, the 406 was fitted new with the 2216cc straight-six engine with four-speed manual transmission and overdrive. While not fitted with the original engine now, a correct type 100-series unit is fitted. Originally finished in Silver Grey with Lovat leather interior upholstery, the Bristol is presented today in Turquoise, still with Lovat interior, and has a recorded and credible mileage of 54,486 miles.

Understood to have then been subsequently sold by Bolton of Leeds Ltd. to its first and sole private keeper, the 406 was retained by the said individual until early 2008. Entering the ownership of a motor trader who harvested the original engine for mating to a BMW 328, chassis ‘406/5343’ was then obtained by Brian May, the well-renowned Bristol aficionado, during the same year (2008). Now offered from his deceased estate as a running and driving example, although requiring some further recommissioning work, the 406 is thought to be a highly original example and is offered with a large selection of previous MOTs and invoices and V5C document.

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