New Classic on the Drive

[anonymous-user]

Just thought I would share my enthusiasm for a new purchase - 1969 Bristol 410, with an uprated Chrysler engine with circa 375 bhp and 420 lb foot.

Loving it so far - but it's early days so I am sure there will be some pain down the line.


|http://thumbsnap.com/Dx6ifIHg[/url]

[anonymous-user]

It needs a full service and work on the throttle setting as it doesn't hold second at the moment.

Despite that yes it does shift. It's actually quite difficult not be doing 50 everywhere as that seems to be the pace it wants to idle along at. A ph member, vjj, drove it up to Cheshire for me and he was enthusiastic about its pace on the motorway.

Seems to handle ok as it has had recent work on the suspension, but I haven't got full confidence in it yet.

[anonymous-user]

Riley Blue said:

Get rid of the stripes and it'll be perfect - lovely car, my congratulations on your purchase!

They did that themselves for the 411.

Ideally I would, but the paint is so good I don't fancy messing about with it.

It's not in the history file but someone has spent good money on a high quality glass out respray relatively recently.

[anonymous-user]

medieval said:

A true gentleman's carriage sir

when i find a gentleman, I'll let him have a drive.


Thanks for the positive comments, chaps.

[anonymous-user]

Bodo said:

That's a nice car. Can you please post five pictures of quirky details? I bet there are dozens!

I'll take some pics of the compartments behind the front wheels that house the spare wheel and the electrics.

but in all honesty that is about the only "quirky" thing about it, other than the styling.


the interior is very 60s with its lines of switches, but Bristols of this era are very sensible cars. Very practical.

[anonymous-user]

roscobbc said:

That was the one from Justin Banks? - first Bristol I've seen in a long while that actually looks perfect - later cars look wrong with 4 large headlamps - yours look just right with the 1/4 bumpers - balances the car just right!

it is yes. I think the way they have done the bumpers is great.

[anonymous-user]

It looks like a lot of things were covered in an undocumented restoration by American Car Car Centre

I just have one invoice for *Plenty* that is for engine work and another for a respray


The electrics look tidy and I found out last night it has overdrive on the gearbox. One of the switches on the dash has been altered to activate it and I have been driving round with it on permanently, meaning as soon as the box got into 3rd it was going into overdrive, then dropping to second quickly if I was just pootling along.


Makes a change to find nice things you didn't know you had rather than horrors.

[anonymous-user]

[quote=medieval

My only reservation is the wheels which to my mind only I a sure just don't quite cut it . The earlier steels are possibly more visually appealing but not correct for to period I know


[/quote]

I just may be with you regarding the wheels.

They were an option on the slightly later 411 - steels only on the 410 but some people did fit minilites - as advised by LJK Straight.

I have a spare set of steels from a car I have sold so I'll see, but with the extra power I am not sure it would work with skinnier tyres.

[anonymous-user]

12TS said:

Not quite sure about the steering wheel. It's nice, but just a bit 70s boy racerish.

Saying that the standard Bristol wheels look a bit odd. How do you find it?

Standard on the 410 was the old Bluemel wheel, lovely looking but just too large for a car like this (think it is 15"). This is the right size, but think it would look better with the one they used on the 411 which has a black rim and black spokes. I like the feel of the old style plastic as well.