Those
old blokes at Bristol were having a rummage around a dusty workshop recently and
amongst the mouldy sandwiches and dusty old phone books they found a new car.
Well an old car. A prototype from the early 1950's in fact which they've now
updated and released.
This streamlined two-seater is believed to be have originated as a proposed
replacement for the early 1950s Arnolt-Bristol with a Bristol 2-litre engine.
Later they dropped in a Chrysler V-8 with an experimental fuel injection system.
Much the same formula as that which produced the TVR Griffith and AC Cobra.
Bristol didn't see a market for such a car and it remained as a testbed for
rebuilt engines and transmissions until being parked up some time in the ’70s
and forgotten about.
In the late 1990s it was fully restored by Bristol personnel who revealed it
was originally known as "The Bullet", on account of its generous
performance.
Bristol in their curiously random manner have now decided to produce a modern
interpretation using Blenheim components. Just 12-15 of these 'Blenheim
Speedsters' will be made.
Styling
is a subtly enhanced version of the original while the interior is all new. The
speedster not only benefits from better looks but weighs some 350 kg less than
the hideous Bristol Saloon.
A special 30 gallon fuel tank with twin race type fillers has been fitted to
give the Speedster plenty of range for European jollies despite having a
monstrous 5.9 litre Chrysler V8 under the bonnet. That's coupled to a four speed
auto 'box.
Performance is brisk with 0-60 mph in around 5 secs and a top speed
approaching 160 mph.
Bristol intend to sell this unique car at a stratospheric price of just under
£150,000. Why Bristol is in business at all remains a mystery to us, so to
suggest that these cars won't sell would be short sighted. British eccentricity
at its best... or worst?