Lot details
Registration No: 522 EYF
Chassis No: 4054516
Mot Expiry: None

Following the Bristol team's successful class wins at the 1953 Reims 12-hours and 1954 Le Mans 24-hours races, 1955 brought a step forward in the shape of the introduction of the 405 model. Whilst the 4-door saloon was bodied by Bristol, the drophead coupé was made for the firm by coachbuilder ED Abbott of Farnham, and is accepted to be one of the most elegant Bristols ever catalogued. The model is famed for introducing a Bristol feature now deemed traditional, that of mounting the spare wheel inside the front wing. The car used a tuned version of the 2-litre straight-six called the 100C, developing 125bhp, against the 105bhp of the standard 100B 405 motor. The 405 models had a four-speed overdrive gearbox, coupled to Bristol's improved, short-shift gear lever which gave a very positive gearchange for the time, and made using the full power from the revvy six a joy. Drophead models featured front disc brakes, but remained a truly exclusive variant with only 43 examples built during the model's three year production run. Compared to the saloon versions, the soft-top incorporated larger doors, a raised bonnet and a smoother side-profile. Rear seat room was slightly less than the saloon, but the boot retained its capacity, and was flanked by the same vestigial tail-fins that complete the jet-age ambience. Owners of these exclusive, luxury chariots appreciate the intrinsic ease-of-driving that these 1950s Bristols afford.

Finished in red with black leather upholstery, this particular example has been on static display as part of a private Lake District collection for many years. Although reported to have been driven into the collection building under its own power, the Bristol is currently a non-runner and will require recommissioning prior to road use. A potentially rewarding project, it is sold strictly as viewed.