Bristol Cars goes into administration
Discussion
AeroMan said:
Funnily enough I think that the three-quarter view from the rear is quite attractive, apart from the Senator lights, and its least acceptable view is from the side, where it's rather extreme length comes into play and this is exacerbated by some rather peculiar lines.
I know that many find this view quite challenging, but beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!
As regards the car itself, I really do like it and the driving experience and we had an interesting trip in it to the West of Ireland for Christmas in the snow! I was very interested in swapping it for a Series VI, or even better a Fighter (though not a new one).
These plans are currently on hold pending the outcome of the future of Bristol as an entity, but I am still looking forward to having a test in a Fighter and this was something I had spoken to Toby about doing on my next visit to the UK. It seems that such a drive is on ice too.
That's quite similar to the Bentley Continental R from that angle - quite pleasant I think.I know that many find this view quite challenging, but beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!
As regards the car itself, I really do like it and the driving experience and we had an interesting trip in it to the West of Ireland for Christmas in the snow! I was very interested in swapping it for a Series VI, or even better a Fighter (though not a new one).These plans are currently on hold pending the outcome of the future of Bristol as an entity, but I am still looking forward to having a test in a Fighter and this was something I had spoken to Toby about doing on my next visit to the UK. It seems that such a drive is on ice too.
bosscerbera said:
Isn't the blue one a Speedster?
Sorry, yes it is. I belive that the Speedster (aeroscreen, no hood) was what was launched, and the Roadster (full screen, hood) was only built due to customer demand. I have met the owner of the green Roadster on their website, who said that he'd been told that making it was such a fiddle that they wouldn't do another!I think the only asset of any value left in Bristol is the name - and, with it, the mystique of the marque and its very exclusivity.
IMHO, anyone taking this over as a going concern would be foolhardy, just pouring money down the drain. A blank piece of paper is what's required.
However, that's not to say that there isn't a market niche still existing for a truly British bespoke 'gentleman's' sports saloon or coupe. Bristol was the last bastion of this genre and I'm truly sorry to see it in trouble.
But, like many of the comments already posted, I believe the real source of their eventual downfall was the styling.
Since the inception of the Bristol marque, the whole automotive scene has changed and the mainstream manufacturers can now offer up-market models with technology and (relative) quality of manufacture that the small, specialist producer simply can't match. Hellfire, even a decent Mondeo can outperform any Bristol and probably provide a better standard of comfort too, admittedly not in the same style.
So, for any small manufacturer trying to survive and prosper in this very specialist niche, they have to offer something special. The extra factors are quality of finish (they can't compete on actual construction or engineering), exclusivity (taken care of by the low production rate and the name) plus STYLING!!
Now, I'm not saying that the styling has to be modern and bang up-to-date. There is still appeal in traditional styling. But even that moves on! Most of Bristol's offerings were not just staid but positively amateurish!
If a chap were to get a tweed suit hand made for him and supplied the best Harris tweed and trimmings to his tailor, even if the tailor stitched it together in the finest way, the chap would still look an idiot if it had been cut by a butcher!
I lament the passing of the real Bentleys and miss the whole sensation of driving a new Turbo R! When Bentley passed over to the other side, I sensed an opportunity for Bristol but, sadly, it was never identified or taken up.
Oh how I wish I could have been on the board!
IMHO, anyone taking this over as a going concern would be foolhardy, just pouring money down the drain. A blank piece of paper is what's required.
However, that's not to say that there isn't a market niche still existing for a truly British bespoke 'gentleman's' sports saloon or coupe. Bristol was the last bastion of this genre and I'm truly sorry to see it in trouble.
But, like many of the comments already posted, I believe the real source of their eventual downfall was the styling.
Since the inception of the Bristol marque, the whole automotive scene has changed and the mainstream manufacturers can now offer up-market models with technology and (relative) quality of manufacture that the small, specialist producer simply can't match. Hellfire, even a decent Mondeo can outperform any Bristol and probably provide a better standard of comfort too, admittedly not in the same style.
So, for any small manufacturer trying to survive and prosper in this very specialist niche, they have to offer something special. The extra factors are quality of finish (they can't compete on actual construction or engineering), exclusivity (taken care of by the low production rate and the name) plus STYLING!!
Now, I'm not saying that the styling has to be modern and bang up-to-date. There is still appeal in traditional styling. But even that moves on! Most of Bristol's offerings were not just staid but positively amateurish!
If a chap were to get a tweed suit hand made for him and supplied the best Harris tweed and trimmings to his tailor, even if the tailor stitched it together in the finest way, the chap would still look an idiot if it had been cut by a butcher!
I lament the passing of the real Bentleys and miss the whole sensation of driving a new Turbo R! When Bentley passed over to the other side, I sensed an opportunity for Bristol but, sadly, it was never identified or taken up.
Oh how I wish I could have been on the board!
JMC1 said:
I do not know if I have missed something but does any one know what is now happening at Bristol Cars.
Will there be a rich kind benefactor, will production be resumed ?
Offers had to be in by 17:00 on 22nd March. Obviously the NDAs etc limit discussion somewhat, but some things are in the public domain at present. According to AROnline's Keith Adams, who put together a bid of his own with pretty modest means:Will there be a rich kind benefactor, will production be resumed ?
Keith Adams said:
Heard it on the grapevine that my bid for Bristol Cars has been outgunned by a more serious operation. Let's hope it works out 
Keith's bid was formally rejected on 22nd March, so things are moving. No news that I've heard on what is "in" and what is "out". Many of us have looked tentatively at a bid, but the timescales were always very, very tight.skwdenyer said:
Keith's bid was formally rejected on 22nd March, so things are moving. No news that I've heard on what is "in" and what is "out". Many of us have looked tentatively at a bid, but the timescales were always very, very tight.
I wonder if they are running the sale on the same method they used for selling the actual cars?If so it's likely they just didn't want to do business with someone called Keith.
dave de roxby said:
I think the only asset of any value left in Bristol is the name
How so? Racing heritage? Adored by royalty? Pictured regularly in Hello!? Popular among footballers?Personally I can't see any "value" in the name whatsoever. The pipe and slippers brigade are a spent force.
Ozzie Osmond said:
dave de roxby said:
I think the only asset of any value left in Bristol is the name
How so? Racing heritage? Adored by royalty? Pictured regularly in Hello!? Popular among footballers?Personally I can't see any "value" in the name whatsoever. The pipe and slippers brigade are a spent force.
skwdenyer said:
I thought that was the Russians
And the Chinese, Arabs and the Indians.I'm sure there is value in the Bristol brand as someone could use it to sell uber expensive (ie above Rolls/Maybach) cars to the BRIC countries. Those chaps would never have been allowed to buy an original so this could be their golden opportunity.
You only need to look at the bunfight that occured in Germany over trying to grab the Rolls and Bentley brands to suggest that there is value to be found.
Such a result may well be highly offensive to the current Bristol fans but then it was to Aston, Rolls and Bentley owners but most are dribbling in their mashed food now and the brands are excelling in the New World markets.
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