Bristol 405 Spotted???

[Lordbenny]

I was following an unusual car for about a mile today on my way to work. I put the reg into a reg checker (405KBH) And it came up as a Bristol 403 but it wasn't! A google image search showed that it was a 405 even though the reg checker said it was a 403. I then noticed an engine size of 5300cc....a LOT bigger than the original cars. Does anyone know this car....spotted in Chipstead, Surrey.

Looked the same as this....

[shih tzu faced]

More likely a Bristol 407, the first of the Bristols to be fitted with a US sourced V8 (I think).

Looks similar to the one pictured except I'm pretty sure they were fhc only?

[Lordbenny]

shih tzu faced said:

More likely a Bristol 407, the first of the Bristols to be fitted with a US sourced V8 (I think).

Looks similar to the one pictured except I'm pretty sure they were fhc only?

You say that but...

A) The number plate is 405 KBH
B) The reg checker says 403
C) It looked nothing like a 407, it looked like a 405

[mph]

It's allegedly a 403 converted to V8 power among other things. Is this it ? Could also be a converted 405 I suppose.

Edited by mph on Tuesday 5th May 22:20

[Lordbenny]

Well done...that’s it...it’s a BITZA alright....a bit of a mess isn’t it?

[gforceg]

Those wheels are atrocious.

[shih tzu faced]

Lordbenny said:

You say that but...

C) It looked nothing like a 407, it looked like a 405

Turns out it looks nothing like either

[Lordbenny]

shih tzu faced said:

Turns out it looks nothing like either

You’re quite right there although to be fair I only really saw it from behind and not being super familiar with the 405 I only really recognised the small tail fins which are found on that car.

[mph]

Lordbenny said:

shih tzu faced said:

Turns out it looks nothing like either

You’re quite right there although to be fair I only really saw it from behind and not being super familiar with the 405 I only really recognised the small tail fins which are found on that car.

Oh I don't know. The front and rear look very much like they're from a 405, which is possibly what they are.

[tog]

The owner is quite tall, hence the quite tall and upright windscreen. I'm not sure what it was based on originally, but it is apparently very quick and good to drive. He'd had an original 405 drophead before and wanted something faster and more modern but in the same style.

[shih tzu faced]

mph said:

Lordbenny said:

shih tzu faced said:

Turns out it looks nothing like either

You’re quite right there although to be fair I only really saw it from behind and not being super familiar with the 405 I only really recognised the small tail fins which are found on that car.

Oh I don't know. The front and rear look very much like they're from a 405, which is possibly what they are.

Don't mind me, I was just being a knob blame the lockdown. Or my magnetic personality, whichever you prefer.

There are clearly lots of Bristol bits in it and all in all looks pretty good except the wheels (needed to cover big brakes?) and the hood.
It's probably the owner's pride & joy, and fair play to him for making it happen.
My dream car along these lines would be a sort of interpretation of the Alfa TZ2, but if I did it myself it would probably end up looking like Captain Caveman's car in the Wacky Races - a sort of hollowed out log canoe on wheels

[shih tzu faced]

JPvanRossem said:

The wheels don't cover the brakes. For God's sake man, read the ad. It's the tyres that cover the brakes.

Ha ha yeah you got me... missed that bit!