RE: Bristol Cars Saved By Frazer-Nash
Discussion
It is good news that they have been rescued, though I am surprised that Toby Silverton has not returned at the helm.
Hybrid development in a Bristol though may be a good showcase for Frazer Nash's technology as they try and sell their systems to other marques.
I just can't see electric vehicles becoming mainstream as I am sure other fuel/energy sources will prove to be more efficient and cleaner to produce. This could mean that Bristol's future could still be limited in the short term.............though I hope I am wrong.
I am a fan of Bristol and what they stood for.........but the market is tight for low volume luxury car markers without a major manufacturer behind the scenes.
Hybrid development in a Bristol though may be a good showcase for Frazer Nash's technology as they try and sell their systems to other marques.
I just can't see electric vehicles becoming mainstream as I am sure other fuel/energy sources will prove to be more efficient and cleaner to produce. This could mean that Bristol's future could still be limited in the short term.............though I hope I am wrong.
I am a fan of Bristol and what they stood for.........but the market is tight for low volume luxury car markers without a major manufacturer behind the scenes.
Edited by hebbhog on Thursday 21st April 20:17
I'm wondering about the provenance of the company. Is this Frazer-Nash the Frazer-Nash of yore? I.e. amazing open-wheel race cars and license built BMW 328s?
Also, did the original company have any relation to the American car manufacturer Kaiser-Frazer, founded by Henry J. Kaiser? K-F produced the Kaiser and Frazer brands of automobiles, plus the short lived (ahead of its time) Henry J compact car, also sold as the Sears Allstate.
Both Bristol and Kaiser-Frazer built high quality cars that were very different and innovative, but fell out of favor with the mainstream. K-F ceased production after 1954 IIRC, and I can't think of any Frazer-Nash cars past the '50s either.
Also, did the original company have any relation to the American car manufacturer Kaiser-Frazer, founded by Henry J. Kaiser? K-F produced the Kaiser and Frazer brands of automobiles, plus the short lived (ahead of its time) Henry J compact car, also sold as the Sears Allstate.
Both Bristol and Kaiser-Frazer built high quality cars that were very different and innovative, but fell out of favor with the mainstream. K-F ceased production after 1954 IIRC, and I can't think of any Frazer-Nash cars past the '50s either.
Digga said:
Quite.
Another bit of British motoring heritage slips into foreign ownership. Not to sound ungrateful - I'm glad it's not gone altogether - but ther is something inevetable and also very disturbing about the way we do not seem capable of financing our domestic manufacturing industry.
A few small niché companies with outdated business models operating in shrinking markets are hardly a representative sample of the bigger picture. Vehicle wise, we make more cars now than we ever have. Foreign ownership might be up significantly, but it's not really the doom and gloom it's widely portrayed as. The key phrase to bear in mind is under-investment. We failed miserably at investing in the future, in technologies and processes. Someone like BMW or Nissan have invested massively in their facilities, R&D and workforce, in a relatively short space of time and continue to develop their products and brand at a blistering rate, but Another bit of British motoring heritage slips into foreign ownership. Not to sound ungrateful - I'm glad it's not gone altogether - but ther is something inevetable and also very disturbing about the way we do not seem capable of financing our domestic manufacturing industry.
Bristol are barely a blip on the radar to most people. They liked it that way it seems, but I assume to many people this is the first they've heard of Bristol cars, and the most publicity they've had since ... ever. Factor in increasing costs and [I assume] low sales figures, and it's a wonder they've lasted this long really IMO.
I don't like Bristol's cars, but I'd still rather they were here than not, so the buyout can only be a good thing really. Perhaps now they'll make something I like, much to the dismay of their supporters I suppose
Seems to me that in order to have a fighting chance of survival a specialist (a.k.a. cool/aspirational) British car manufacturer needs to punch at or below £100k.
Anything higher than that is a huge risk.
Aston Martin and Morgan are successful examples of this rule.
Maybe the "upper atmosphere" of Bristol pricing was it's death knell.
I earn well into six figures p.a. yet I wouldn't dream of spending Bristol money (sadly) as there are so many other things also vying for my dosh.
Anything higher than that is a huge risk.
Aston Martin and Morgan are successful examples of this rule.
Maybe the "upper atmosphere" of Bristol pricing was it's death knell.
I earn well into six figures p.a. yet I wouldn't dream of spending Bristol money (sadly) as there are so many other things also vying for my dosh.
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