Buckle up: the Bristol Fighter is back!
Iconic V10 gullwing makes a return, with five unused chassis to finally be completed
Despite time having been abruptly called on production 15 years ago, you can hardly have forgotten the Bristol Fighter. A V10 gullwing of any description lives long in the memory, let alone one from Bristol, perhaps Britain’s most eccentric car maker. It was unlike any other car it had produced, unlike much else ever made on four wheels in fact, and would prove to be the last car from the company, with administrators called in during 2011. So soon after the financial catastrophe was not the time to be selling such exotic machines as such a niche manufacturer.
But the world of 2026 is very different; certainly, there seems to be an awful lot more money around for a select few to spend on incredible cars. So Bristol Cars is back in business, and is announcing its return with the completion of five more Fighters. This is the first, a finished car to be exhibited at Salon Privé this weekend, with four further unused chassis on offer for commission.
Described as the ‘ultimate expression of Bristol’s approach to performance’, the final five Fighters will be similar to the originals, using drawings and parts from the first run of cars: still with the 525hp 8.0 V10 (600hp will also be offered), still with the doors, and still with the unmistakable influence of aviation to its design. Calling this a continuation car seems a misnomer given only 15 years have passed, but in picking up exactly where the Fighter first left off, the term isn’t inaccurate.
The four cars to follow after the black and tan machine will be offered in right- or left-hand drive. With a ‘leading British manufacturing partner’ said to be onboard as well, expect all personalisation possibilities to be catered for. There really is nothing like a Bristol Fighter, and expect all five to be very different from each other.
Bristol Cars is now owned by Paul King. He said of the Fighter’s resurrection, 80 years since Bristol Cars was first formed: “Bringing Bristol Cars back is about far more than reviving a name; it is about bringing back the spirit of a marque that has always stood apart. Bristol has a remarkable story, from its roots in aviation and engineering to the extraordinary and exclusive cars it crafted. We want to honour that heritage while giving Bristol a future that is every bit as distinctive… This is the beginning of Bristol’s return, and there is much more to come.”
Exactly what that future will be isn’t clear yet, though surely the new Bristol isn’t going to deviate too far from the weird and wonderful machines that made the company its name during the 20th century. Especially because, as mentioned, there seems to be an insatiable appetite for boutique supercars right now. The involvement of Richard Hackett as Chairman ought to ensure the heritage is respected, as he worked alongside former boss Tony Crook decades ago. He described the new role as a “tremendous privilege”. Hopefully the new Fighters will be up and running before long, to keep the relaunch momentum going. And perhaps a renewed interest in the back catalogue will follow soon after…
There's a well-known blue example that has toured all over Europe and done serious mileage.
Much to like about these - distinctive, big powerful engine that makes gear changes largely optional, and - crucially - not too wide for the kind of narrow roads that take you to interesting places and wonderful views.
Good luck to them.
I'll forgive my Dacias and my Alpine as they all had that wonderful stereo control module under the right of the steering wheel.
Car looks nice too, I never liked the look of their earlier models.
I do like that they are doing them
till today hah, way to late now and way to expensive, but nice to see.
see if I can find that Dutch LHD example on my desktop from back then in NL for sale.
ah found it, lucky I put a name by the pictures, otherwise hard to find with that many car pictures I have.
Great news that Bristol is back and starting by finishing off the fighter production, good luck with the future models, I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
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