Bristol Cars goes into administration
Discussion
eldar said:
They refused to allow reviews, and got ignored, except for a small number of enthusiasts who like pipe smokers are breed nearing extinction.
One appearance on Top Gear would have doubled their sales.
Appearing on Top Gear couldn't possibly have led to a single extra sale, especially given the Barratt/DFS/Superdry/X Factor demographic (pretty similar to the one on here).One appearance on Top Gear would have doubled their sales.
Factory cars were reviewed by evo.
Manks said:
There's something of the King's new clothes about Bristol cars.
You don't like them, we get it. Can you understand that some people DO like them? Obviously not enough people to maintain their niche, but I'm sorry to see a maker of British, big engined, understated GTs go to the wall.Trommel said:
eldar said:
They refused to allow reviews, and got ignored, except for a small number of enthusiasts who like pipe smokers are breed nearing extinction.
One appearance on Top Gear would have doubled their sales.
Appearing on Top Gear couldn't possibly have led to a single extra sale, especially given the Barratt/DFS/Superdry/X Factor demographic (pretty similar to the one on here).One appearance on Top Gear would have doubled their sales.
Factory cars were reviewed by evo.
h.Trommel said:
Appearing on Top Gear couldn't possibly have led to a single extra sale, especially given the Barratt/DFS/Superdry/X Factor demographic (pretty similar to the one on here).
Factory cars were reviewed by evo.
Fair enough, but being ultra low profile in a high profile market hasn't worked too well. Sadly they didn't keep up with changing demographics. Factory cars were reviewed by evo.
The automotive Readers Digest.
Manks said:
Unless of course TG said that it was rubbish. Which I suspect is the case.
There's something of the King's new clothes about Bristol cars.
Then you dont understand Clarkson very well. Jeremy would have raved about it all night.There's something of the King's new clothes about Bristol cars.
But appearing on Top Gear would have been just about the last thing anybody involved with Bristol would ever have wanted to happen. In fact I can think of nothing more un-Bristol than doing Top Gear.
Bristol wasnt about cars, it was simply about being eccentrically English for no other reason than one could be. Or to paraphrase The Thread...its about the tweed.
tigerkoi said:
Hahaha 
very good....
On the main topic, awful news. In a day and age when everything is commodotized and generic: Aston Martin just producing a range of facsimiles; Bentley coachbuilding Phaetons; VW just collecting European bonnet badges; MP4/458/GT3/etc just a PS3 game come alive.........it's a little depressing to see how narrow and focussed the car market is and has been for the past decade or so.
Different may not appeal to all. But a catholic range of styles and companies in the industry is surely better for car lovers, no?
You make a brilliant point about how the Market has narrowed. Disappointing. very good....On the main topic, awful news. In a day and age when everything is commodotized and generic: Aston Martin just producing a range of facsimiles; Bentley coachbuilding Phaetons; VW just collecting European bonnet badges; MP4/458/GT3/etc just a PS3 game come alive.........it's a little depressing to see how narrow and focussed the car market is and has been for the past decade or so.
Different may not appeal to all. But a catholic range of styles and companies in the industry is surely better for car lovers, no?
I never got Bristols, until I got in one. High speed waftability and amazing character.
A real shame, but I, like others wondered how they managed to stay afloat so long. The numbers simply cant add up, and developing a new car in the 21st century costs mega money.
Plus they have always been too anonymous. They never were in the 50s and 60s, but seemed to get more anonymous as the years passed.
And Liam Gallagher from Oasis had one in the 90s.
A 410 with modern running gear is still on my lottery wish list, alongside an Aston DBS V8 with modern running gear
Plus they have always been too anonymous. They never were in the 50s and 60s, but seemed to get more anonymous as the years passed.
And Liam Gallagher from Oasis had one in the 90s.
A 410 with modern running gear is still on my lottery wish list, alongside an Aston DBS V8 with modern running gear
I liked their cars, in fact I posted a few pics of examples for sale and 'spotted' cars over the years on here.
Trouble is me liking them didn't pay their bills, me buying a host of other cars instead of one Bristol didn't pay any bills, me standing up for them in pub debates didn't pay any bills.
Sorry Bristol, I was a true fan but I never helped you to succeed and I'm sure that rings true for many on here. We all loved you, but few have been brave enough to buy (even used). I hope a future can be found in the end.
Trouble is me liking them didn't pay their bills, me buying a host of other cars instead of one Bristol didn't pay any bills, me standing up for them in pub debates didn't pay any bills.
Sorry Bristol, I was a true fan but I never helped you to succeed and I'm sure that rings true for many on here. We all loved you, but few have been brave enough to buy (even used). I hope a future can be found in the end.
Right, on a more positive note, how about a bit of speculation on who might buy Bristol from the administrators and make a go of it?
I can see them fitting in with Morgan in terms of history and product range with Bristol supplying a chassis for a decent 4-seater. Maybe Ginetta or somesuch too, although lacking in ability to invest perhaps? Caterham?
I can see them fitting in with Morgan in terms of history and product range with Bristol supplying a chassis for a decent 4-seater. Maybe Ginetta or somesuch too, although lacking in ability to invest perhaps? Caterham?
Garlick said:
I liked their cars, in fact I posted a few pics of examples for sale and 'spotted' cars over the years on here.
Trouble is me liking them didn't pay their bills, me buying a host of other cars instead of one Bristol didn't pay any bills, me standing up for them in pub debates didn't pay any bills.
Sorry Bristol, I was a true fan but I never helped you to succeed and I'm sure that rings true for many on here. We all loved you, but few have been brave enough to buy (even used). I hope a future can be found in the end.
That pretty much sums it up. Trouble is me liking them didn't pay their bills, me buying a host of other cars instead of one Bristol didn't pay any bills, me standing up for them in pub debates didn't pay any bills.
Sorry Bristol, I was a true fan but I never helped you to succeed and I'm sure that rings true for many on here. We all loved you, but few have been brave enough to buy (even used). I hope a future can be found in the end.
A shame in many ways, especially for the workers.
But then you can't get away with making outdated and over-priced cars for ever! IMO of course...
The modern wealthy would rather spend their cash "blinging up" something like Cayenne/Aston/Bentley/RR/X6 than spend it buying a bespoke English motor car.
But then you can't get away with making outdated and over-priced cars for ever! IMO of course...
The modern wealthy would rather spend their cash "blinging up" something like Cayenne/Aston/Bentley/RR/X6 than spend it buying a bespoke English motor car.
Garlick said:
I liked their cars, in fact I posted a few pics of examples for sale and 'spotted' cars over the years on here.
Trouble is me liking them didn't pay their bills, me buying a host of other cars instead of one Bristol didn't pay any bills, me standing up for them in pub debates didn't pay any bills.
Sorry Bristol, I was a true fan but I never helped you to succeed and I'm sure that rings true for many on here. We all loved you, but few have been brave enough to buy (even used). I hope a future can be found in the end.
So, Garlick, if their cars were so good why did you not buy one?Trouble is me liking them didn't pay their bills, me buying a host of other cars instead of one Bristol didn't pay any bills, me standing up for them in pub debates didn't pay any bills.
Sorry Bristol, I was a true fan but I never helped you to succeed and I'm sure that rings true for many on here. We all loved you, but few have been brave enough to buy (even used). I hope a future can be found in the end.
williamp said:
A real shame, but I, like others wondered how they managed to stay afloat so long. The numbers simply cant add up, and developing a new car in the 21st century costs mega money.
Yet other independent 'niche' manufacturers also selling cars in tiny numbers, albeit in a different market segment have managed it: e.g. Koenigsegg, Spyker and Pagani.I really hope someone, who understand what Bristol is about, buys the company and keeps it going, but I can't see any of the major car companies being interested, and the smaller ones, such as Morgan or Caterham probably can't afford it.
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