Bristol Cars

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HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,004 posts

194 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
We saw a Bristol Blenheim 3 today, and when I told the OH how expensive they were she could'nt believe it. "150 thousand, I would'nt pay 150 pounds for that".
Apart from the Fighter what is so special about these cars?

Edited by HowMuchLonger on Saturday 17th May 18:48

Jderh

6,225 posts

208 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
I think people are attracted to the exclusivity of the things, and some may feel nostalgic about them. I, personally, don't see the attraction. On the ones they were building in the 90's, you can see from a distance how poor the panel fit is on them, and they all look like old big Vauxhalls.

However, the Fighter with the V10 and oodles of power is a different story.

HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,004 posts

194 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
Apparantly they have elegant timeless lines.jester


Fighter aside, the exclusivity part confuses me. Some cars are exclusive because they will only make a limited edition (Revention), but these cars seem exclusive because they look like something out of a 70's/80's timewarp and no one would be seen dead in one.
Understated though.

cml

715 posts

263 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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Part of the point maybe is that it shows you don't love money and possessions so much that you are desperate to get good value and drive a car that is flashier, faster, more technically advanced and so-on than other peoples. A sort of snobbery I suppose but it does have a certain charm when compared to those dying to prove to everybody else what a superb car they have bought. How vulgar! I just bought something with primitive suspension and a 1970s design V8 for the same price as the average flat, that’s how much I care about the thing you hold so precious. Old money vs. new money.

Perhaps I am being over-analytical here.

There is a Bristol Speedster too which is very nice.

cml

715 posts

263 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all


HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,004 posts

194 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all


Okay I admit the speedster is quite nice, and I'll repeat "I do like the Fighter", but the Blenheim still confuses me.


randlemarcus

13,528 posts

232 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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I might be tempted in an 80s Vantage styley. They seem to last quite well.

sniff petrol

13,107 posts

213 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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HowMuchLonger said:
Apparently they have the stiffest bodyshell of any car - including the Mclaren F1.

absolutely

3,168 posts

193 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
Has anyone noticed...in that Blenheim picture the door is the wrong shade of blue to the rest of the car.

It looks like someone has put a GRP shell on a perfectly decent Aston of the 60s or 70s. I prefer the Fighter.

Sniff Petrol, the bodywork on the Mclaren F1 won't be that stiff, it won't be load bearing, it'll just be built for directioning air, lightness and style. The stiffness will all be in the chassis, which includes the roof and some other body colour parts.

Edited by absolutely on Saturday 17th May 19:34


Edited by absolutely on Saturday 17th May 19:42

Jderh

6,225 posts

208 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
Also, the line in the bodywork that runs from the back of the car to the front on the above picture doesn't meet up at the door/wing point.

Dracoro

8,685 posts

246 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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I always thought the Blenheim looked like cobbled bits of other cars (which they are I guess!).

Front wings look like they were rippes straight off a Jag from that era, the rear side windows appear to be of a Manta, the wheels off something like an 80s escort. And so on...

ELAN+2

2,232 posts

233 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
Bristol cars are eccentric cars for eccentrics, if Tony Crook (the retiring owner) didn't like you, you didn't get one! On the whole, when the press get hold of one, usually borrowed from an owner as Bristol do not court the press, the reviews are positive, the cars do have a subtle charm about them and ooze "old money", class and distinction in a way that makes other marques appear brash and vulgar. The design brief for all Bristol saloons is to be able to carry two gentlemen and thier ladies with thier luggage on a continental jaunt in comfort and at speed, a task it performs more than adequetely (sp?). In a rare interview, when challenged about the looks and the separate chassis/construction Crook answered that both he and his customers liked them, so that was good enough, on the chassis side he said it would be upgraded when it couldn't perform the required task satisfactorily!

I think they are glorious and would have an early 411 with some later upgrades tomorrow, given half a chance.

BTW, I believe the factory still offers owners chassis/running gear upgrades to the current spec,should they so desire.At one time they were offering resprays for £2k on a Bristol!!!

sniff petrol

13,107 posts

213 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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ELAN+2 said:
...the cars do have a subtle charm about them and ooze "old money", class and distinction in a way that makes other marques appear brash and vulgar...
Good point, don't think I've ever heard a story of a lottery winner saying they were going to buy a Bristol.

hairykrishna

13,185 posts

204 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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I quite like the looks to be honest. Anonymous but you'd get looks from petrolheads thinking 'what the hell is that?'. Plus they have a big V8 which is always a good thing.

I almost bought a 412 Cabriolet recently for ~5 grand but then sanity kicked it.

Forthright MC

8,362 posts

284 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
the Blenheim is a peculiar machine indeed, a very unassuming, sedate kind of car, but there is somthing about them that makes you take a second glance...,





saw this one at a show recently and it was getting loads of attention from passers by

the earlier models are much more appealing IMO, particularly these,







love the quirkiness ad the stateliness of these things!

Balmoral Green

40,943 posts

249 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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Much as I love the things, I really don't get why it is, that with the cost of them, the exclusivity, and the fantastic build quality, the panels and swage lines just don't seem to line through, why? Hand tooled, and yet they manage to look like they are crudely made from a few layers of GRP like some £1200 kit car body.

HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,004 posts

194 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
But look at how they just stuck on a plastic auto gear stick housing, that does not ooze class to me. To me it implies that the designer was lazy. How hard would it be to integrate it in a more aestheticaly pleasing way.

As to winning the lottery tonight, I would love a Fighter T. However I doubt they would let me in the showroom after this.

I am not just Bristol bashing, just confused (still), although thanks for the insight.

RobJShe

17,911 posts

219 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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Is it me, or has that Bristol in some of the pics got Vauxhall Senator rear lights?

Trommel

19,144 posts

260 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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I have a 603 and love it.

No-one is forcing you to like them.

joewilliams

2,004 posts

202 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
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RobJShe said:
Is it me, or has that Bristol in some of the pics got Vauxhall Senator rear lights?
I hate it when other geeks get there first.