Lot details Registration No: TAW212H Chassis No: 4117521
- Restored in the current ownership and painted in Mazda Red
- Replacement engine and gearbox reconditioned by Martin Barnes
- Recent gearbox and brake overhaul inc. new master cylinder and servos
- New timing chain (2018), Kenlowe fan, sunroof etc.
- Originally supplied to Saudi Arabia returning to UK in 1974
- 62,500 believed genuine miles
Having made a major contribution to both world wars, the Bristol Aeroplane Company found itself with large premises and a sizeable skilled workforce but too few orders. In order to redeploy this invaluable resource it opted to create a luxury car division and, under the war reparation scheme, acquired rights over pre-war BMW models and their powerplants. The company was therefore able to produce its first vehicle - the 400 Saloon - as early as the autumn of 1946. By 1969 it had progressed to the 411. This was powered by the 6286cc version of Chrysler's OHV B-Series V8, which endowed the newcomer with a 30 percent hike in power over the 5211cc-engined 410 - sufficient for a top speed of 145mph.
This very smart-looking Series 1 Bristol 411 was first registered in May 1970 before being exported to Saudi Arabia, where it remained until repatriation in 1974. The car was purchased by the vendor c.eight years ago as a restoration project - a comprehensive task that included stripping the car back to bare metal, repairing the bodywork and respraying it in an attractive shade of Mazda Red. The original engine and gearbox were replaced with reconditioned units supplied by the American Car Company (NB further work on the latter has recently been carried out by another Bristol aficionado, SLJ Hackett of Warminster); the brakes were overhauled during which the master cylinder and servo were replaced; the wheels and tyres attended to; the woodwork refurbished and the brightwork rechromed; the carpets replaced; and a period radio installed. The engine's timing chain was renewed as recently as last year. The currently displayed mileage of 62,500 is believed to be genuine and the vendor presently regards the Bristol's bodywork, paintwork, V8 engine and automatic transmission to be in 'excellent' form and its Black leather interior trim to be 'very good'.
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