Description
Author: Michael Palmer, Hardbound, 256 Pages, ISBN: 9781785000768
1st Edition, 2015
The Bristol badge has sat proudly on a succession of fast, reliable and expensive 6-, 8- and 10-cylinder cars since 1946. Though it was initially revered by the motoring press, an air of mystery descended over the marque throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Now under new ownership, Bristol is to be reborn, with new state-of-the-art models proposed. As a complement to the revival, this book celebrates the rich diversity of each model from Bristol Cars' production catalogue.
For the Bristol owner, exclusivity and excellence go hand in hand, with only limited numbers produced of each of the various series of imaginatively designed and innovatively engineered vehicles. Starting with the 400, Bristol's renowned 6-cylinder engine powered a variety of saloons and sports cars. Such was its reputation that the likes of AC, Frazer Nash and Lotus were happy to use the unit in both their road cars and those engineered for the track.
So that Bristol would not lose its edge with their saloon range, Chrysler V8 engines were used to power the cars from the 407 of 1961 onwards. In 2003, the company upped its game again,
pushing the boundaries of automotive design and development. The result was the phenomenally powerful V10 Fighter, a car capable of over 210mph (340km/h).
Referencing contemporary texts and road tests, this book covers each of the cars in detail, including the various coachbuilt versions constructed by the likes of Farina, Bertone and Zagato. Bristol's racing heritage is not forgotten either, with detailed coverage of their spectacular class-winning Le Mans entry, the 450,
Following its slide into receivership in March 2011, Bristol Cars was rescued by technology company Kamkorp Autokraft, part of the Frazer Nash group. Substantial investment leading to new and exciting developments is planned, with powerful but efficient products featuring hybrid and fuel cell technologies.
Once again Bristol Cars will be placed at the forefront of engineering technology, and the rich heritage of the marque will grace the roads, driven into the future by a new generation of enthusiasts.
