RE: Blenheim Speedster
Monday 6th January 2003
Blenheim Speedster
Bristol polish off the car they started in the 1950's
Discussion
This piece is finished off with the comment, why are Bristol still in business? HOW, would be a more appropriate word!
Who buys these cars? Does anybody know? I think I read somewhere that a pop star bought one?
Surely their 'Chairman of a 1950s-style nationalised conglomerate type customer' has all but disappeared – wouold you put your hand up to owning one? I know I wouldn't. I remember reading a test of one in 'Motor' in aout the mid-70s. It was awful then and I can't think it's improved much ...
Are the buyers from the USA?
Who buys these cars? Does anybody know? I think I read somewhere that a pop star bought one?
Surely their 'Chairman of a 1950s-style nationalised conglomerate type customer' has all but disappeared – wouold you put your hand up to owning one? I know I wouldn't. I remember reading a test of one in 'Motor' in aout the mid-70s. It was awful then and I can't think it's improved much ...
Are the buyers from the USA?
Bristol must be the most pointless motor company in existence. Primarily a manufacturer of ugly, vastly overpriced saloons, they've obviously now decided to stretch the bounds of pointlessness even further and produced a vastly overpriced roofless saloon with an aero-screen, modelled on a 1950s pedal car.
Since the cars apparently have no merit, surely the only purpose that they can possibly serve is as a display of wealth, hence the ridiculous price tag.
I believe that Liam Gallagher owns a Bristol which, in my book, would provide the final reason, if needed, not to want one.
Since the cars apparently have no merit, surely the only purpose that they can possibly serve is as a display of wealth, hence the ridiculous price tag.
I believe that Liam Gallagher owns a Bristol which, in my book, would provide the final reason, if needed, not to want one.
There are few things in life worse than arsey commercial crustaceans who think they're owed a living.
I really can't think of an appropriate witticism but somehow the most fitting thing that comes to mind is a Black Adder (series II) quote:
"Baldrick, you look like a bird who's swallowed a plate."
So there you have it - the venerable Bristol Baldrick.
Class my ass.
I really can't think of an appropriate witticism but somehow the most fitting thing that comes to mind is a Black Adder (series II) quote:
"Baldrick, you look like a bird who's swallowed a plate."
So there you have it - the venerable Bristol Baldrick.
Class my ass.
Fatboy said: [Anorak mode]Actually it was Percy who had the huge ruff and was the recipient of the bird swallowing a plate joke, not baldrick [/Anorak Mode]
Oh bugger - I can't believe I made such a basic Bladder misquote!
You're quite right to pull me up on it!
I saw a recent review of the Blenheim is CAR or EVO and the reviewer was underwhelmed.
Having said that, I have also heard that Bristol's possess an innate high speed cruising stability which sort of justifies their oft quoted 'gentlemens express' tag.
But they are overtly stuffy and rely on de-marketing because they are so technically off the boil.
I appreciate from whence Sir Ken rallies, with a dab of colonial bashing and anti-marketing gnashing but at the end of the day, the cars appear to be somewhat anachronistic.
You don't need some git in a Boss suit with a clipped Bavarian accent to confirm that an Audi RS6 or a Merc E55 AMG is just better in every conceivable way than a Bristol or for that matter, a pre-VW Bentley.
>> Edited by derestrictor on Monday 6th January 15:49
derestrictor said:
I appreciate from whence Sir Ken rallies, with a dab of colonial bashing and anti-marketing gnashing but at the end of the day, the cars appear to be somewhat anachronistic.
Thus well suited to an aged Gnome.
Although I am currently sans Bristol they are a car that I really like and I fully intend to reaquaint Gnomehall with the joys of Bristolhood when the much awaited postal order arrives . Their narrow build and stealth looks mean they can speed through the town or narrow lanes and do not attract Plod. They are very strong and well put together and spares are easy to find. They are very comfortable and eat miles. They are, of course, not for everybody and if eye candy is a prerequisite look elsewhere. A new Bristol suffers from huge depreciation which is good for Gnomes who only have small buckets of cash to draw upon.
There are now 3 threads covering this same subject, check out the others and you will see that I am not really a fan of the Speedster considering it to be of little practical use. If I need that sort of car I'd prefer a M Powered WAM or a C-Type replica, then I could play at being McNab.
I think Viperman may be surprised by a Fighter in the metal, not too long to wait now (I hope).
I'm off to think about my ideal pair of Bristols now...I may be some time.
I remember a L J K Setwright piece one day where he talks of watching a Lambo Miura darting in and out of traffic, engine wailing, overtaking wherever possible, impressive...yes, but not as much as the Bristol following at the same speed a couple of cars lengths behind in almost total silence!! Grace with pace also applies to Bristol.
...finally got round to reading it, I love the look of old cars with a modern stance.
I don't know what it is, but when an old car is restored to "original conditon and then little bit more" like this, they stop looking old and suddenly make sense again.
Gorgeous.
Don't worry GB, there're sniggering at me now
Mouse
>> Edited by danger mouse: Nice to see the gnome back in Bristol's corner, and Kev, it's funny how old LJK has cropped up again (it was me on the "huge bristols" one). Derestricter, try to look at it as a "British Bulldog stylee" Porsche 550 spyder with a grill, and you'll see it is actually pretty...er pretty, not a Elton/Curtiss character in sight.
>> Edited by danger mouse on Wednesday 8th January 13:00
I don't know what it is, but when an old car is restored to "original conditon and then little bit more" like this, they stop looking old and suddenly make sense again.
Gorgeous.
Don't worry GB, there're sniggering at me now
Mouse
>> Edited by danger mouse: Nice to see the gnome back in Bristol's corner, and Kev, it's funny how old LJK has cropped up again (it was me on the "huge bristols" one). Derestricter, try to look at it as a "British Bulldog stylee" Porsche 550 spyder with a grill, and you'll see it is actually pretty...er pretty, not a Elton/Curtiss character in sight.
>> Edited by danger mouse on Wednesday 8th January 13:00
I visited the Kensington showroom to have a look at the beast this morning. The front view is the best but it gets progressively worse the further back you go.
I get the distinct impression that it is a stunt to keep the company in the news whilst the Fighters release date slips further. A way of indicating that the new broom is in fact sweeping something. I would not be surprised if they didn't expect to sell any at all.
The metallic green Blenheim alongside it looked really nice,understated but oozing class and latent performance, it would go very nicely with my favorite jacket.
I get the distinct impression that it is a stunt to keep the company in the news whilst the Fighters release date slips further. A way of indicating that the new broom is in fact sweeping something. I would not be surprised if they didn't expect to sell any at all.
The metallic green Blenheim alongside it looked really nice,understated but oozing class and latent performance, it would go very nicely with my favorite jacket.
Hmmm. I must confess I am a huge Bristol fan. As a TVR Tuscan owner I would love to afford the money that buys me a car which does exactly as it says on the tin. I doubt I would wish to have the car in question but Bristol are not about loud maxed upness. A complete antithesis to the TVR I think. If you want to buy a really rather quick bespoke (not made to measure like bentley, rolls et al.) reliable, economical(they have had LPG since the 70s you know) piece of British enginering excentricity ther is no other choice.
I just haver to save the other £100K to buy one. Budgirigar.
McS
I just haver to save the other £100K to buy one. Budgirigar.
McS
...there is something about them, isnt there!
I like them. Not sure why. Just like the idea of them. Without upsetting to many Bristol fanciers, I equate them with Jensen Interseptors.
Apparently the early ones have aluminum panels which vary in thickness- thicker at the egdes (for strength), thinner in the centre (for lightness). VERY aircraft-like.
And having the battery and spare tyre located behind the front wheel-great idea.
Push button automatic?? Not sure about that one, though...
I like them. Not sure why. Just like the idea of them. Without upsetting to many Bristol fanciers, I equate them with Jensen Interseptors.
Apparently the early ones have aluminum panels which vary in thickness- thicker at the egdes (for strength), thinner in the centre (for lightness). VERY aircraft-like.
And having the battery and spare tyre located behind the front wheel-great idea.
Push button automatic?? Not sure about that one, though...
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