Bristol prices

[Jorrocks]

After years of prevaricating, I'm now seriously looking for a roadworthy Bristol to tackle as a 'running restoration'. I am not too particular as to model, other than that it should be a V8, so say 407 to 603.
Problem is that with so few for sale I am finding it tricky to get a feel for the sort of prices they go for. Bristol themselves have a 410 and a 411 (both for 'refurbishment') for £16k and £19k respectively, and i've seen a 407 with MOT for £17k from a dealer. Are these prices about right from the trade? What should I expect to pay privately?
Many thanks in advance!
Jorrocks.

[v8250]

£16k to £19k for a Bristol? That's £32k to £38k for a pair. They'd need to be a jolly good pair for that price...!

[Jorrocks]

Alright Finbarr, calm down.....!

[spoodler]

Depending on what you consider a project you might find that the relatively unloved 412 is a good choice. They quite regularly (for a Bristol) go through auction at half the prices you are quoting. Not to everyone's taste tho'. Unless you have deep pockets don't buy one that is tatty inside, all that leather and wood is expensive to put right, on the other hand the mechanics are generally pretty tough and U.S. sourced parts can be surprisingly cheap. Best of luck with it, a good one of any model is a fantastic car. The owners' club is a good place to start, surprisingly friendly and when I joined part of the welcome package was a comprehensive history of Bristol Cars and details on all the known examples - probably worth the joining fee by itself...

[lowdrag]

Have a look here for a few examples and prices:-

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/11/

From £5,000 to £150,000!

[dartissimus]

lowdrag said:

Have a look here for a few examples and prices:-

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/11/

From £5,000 to £150,000!

I notice that Bristols Cars have for sale nearly 5% of all 405 models made; at eyewatering prices.

Given the number for sale altogether compared to the low production figures,and it sounds like some sort of false market exists.
Remember the only golden rule for classics - Buy Privately, spend money on the car, not the dealer.

[tog]

dartissimus said:

I notice that Bristols Cars have for sale nearly 5% of all 405 models made; at eyewatering prices.

Any two-litre Bristol drophead is now £100k plus. They built very few (even by Bristol standards) and values have risen sharply in the last few years. However, that's not what the OP is after.

Among the 1960/70s V8s, the 411 is the highest valued (though not necessarily the best car). A fully and recently restored car from a top dealer or Bristol Cars could be anywhere in the £40k-70k range, occasionally even more. Bear in mind that although the engine is no throughbred, all V8 Bristols are large, alloy-bodied, hand-built cars, very expensive when new and very expensive to restore now. To bring a wreck to concours standard could easily swallow £100k or more to have proper job done professionally. You'd be lucky to get that back in finished value.

However, as you've discovered, values seem to range widely. For a sound, usable car, you should certainly still be able to find a choice of cars under £20k. Somewhere in the £13-20k area is probably about right for a sound, usable 407-409, 412 or 603, certainly as a private sale. 410/411 probably a little more. Several cars have been advertised in the club over the last year for that sort of price. That 407 looks about on the money, though bear in mind the 407 is the first V8 and later cars did benefit from continuous development (although many people seem to think they only tweaked the styling). A 603 might be a good bet, as values are often lower and the revised body shape makes for a much more usable car, substantially more spacious inside, less wind noise, much better seats, better visibility, more modern to drive.

I'd steer clear of an unloved 412, unless you inspect it very carefully. The roll bar and windscreen surrounds can rot out and become very fiddly (expensive) to put right, but they are great cars if you get a good one. The looks are marmite, but they look much better in the metal than in photos, which rarely give a sense of the proportions or size of the car.

Although values vary widely, the market is quite slow for Bristols, so you may find a car that has been for sale for some time may be available for rather less than advertised, if the owner is keen to sell!

If you are anywhere near Peterborough next Sunday, do come along to the Bristol Owners' Club annual concours at Elton Hall and chat to some owners, look at some cars and see what sort of cars are out there for your budget. Cars are advertised in the Club Newsletter that don't come to the open market, so it should be worthwhile joining the club if you are serious about finding a car.

[Jorrocks]

Thank you all for your very helpful advice, I especially take on board the advice to buy privately, although this 407 seems not too stiff a price:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C403537

Tog, it was reading your PH review of your car that reignited my interest in the marque!
I have joined the BOC and will definitely be going to Elton Hall next weekend, hopefully there will be plenty of cars to see.

Jorrocks.

[roscobbc]

There are some cars that often need as much money spend on them (and often more) as was originally spent on the initial purchase getting them into an acceptable condition as befits a Bristol. I'm not 'knocking' Bristols, far from it - I think they are a fantastic 'old school' low key alternative to Rolls Royces and Bentleys. I just get irritated by the totally inadequate original build quality in some minor areas of the car which was unforgivable, not just for the price but from an asthetic and engineering point of view. I.e XJ6 wheel trims, cheap OEM bumper bars, silly quad tail pipes that were of a diameter suitable for an Austin Allegro, dodgy leather pull straps and poor cloth trimming within the boot. Having said all that the Bristol really is the ultimate re-newable vehicle - spend the required money and all these things can be sorted and you can end up with the very finest British car. Why have all the 'speculators' hiked prices ridiculusly following the demise of Tony Crooks regime?

[williamp]

... the price rises are the same for most "similar" classics these days. The non DB4/5/6 Astons are now getting very expensive. Ditto the pre-Interceptor Jensens (a CV8 or a Bristol or a DBS?? Now that is a tough choice)

They wont be getting any cheaper. There is new money in the world, and as the UK is very fashionable at the moment, the Chinese are likely to wake up to British classics.

[tog]

Jorrocks said:

Thank you all for your very helpful advice, I especially take on board the advice to buy privately, although this 407 seems not too stiff a price:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C403537

Tog, it was reading your PH review of your car that reignited my interest in the marque!
I have joined the BOC and will definitely be going to Elton Hall next weekend, hopefully there will be plenty of cars to see.

Jorrocks.

Excellent, do come and say hi!