BRISTOL 409/410/411
The V8 Bristol has outlived all its Euro hybrid competitors. While American engined exotic such as Jensen, Gordon Keeble, Iso and Monteverdi floundered, Bristol have ridden out every storm. They have managed to achieve this minor miracle by keeping and selling cars still alloy bodied and separately chassised, to a discreet discerning few. Today’s Bristol Blenheim is a direct descendent of the 407 of 1962, a radically different car for Bristol which forsook their traditional straight six engine configuration and transverse leaf spring front suspension for a big, all iron Chrysler V8 and conventional wishbones and coils. Although the 407 and 408 were fast and impressive, the handling and balance suffered. They really nice V8 Bristol begin with the later 409s, which had their engines further back in the chassis for better handling. More importantly, they had power steering, a sensitive ZF set up reckoned to be one of the best in the world. The 410 of 1968 had subtle styling changes to give it a smoother line. The first of the 411s of 1970 had a lower ride height with clipped fins, less brightwork, a limited slip differential and best of all an even bugger 6.2 liter engine. Series 2, 411s (1970) had automatic self leveling suspension, whilst the Series 3 (1972) models had entirely new front end styling with twin 7in, (18cm) lights. Series 4 cars (1973) had an even bigger 6.6 liter engine, giving 300 bhp. Last of the line Series 5 411s (1975) had a black grille, Stiffer chassis and improved cooling.
Despite their patrician looks, the bigger engined cars could nearly touch 140 mph (224 km/h), and boasted dragster like acceleration that left heavier luxury machines floundering. Such performance combined with whispering refinement, exceptionally tasteful bespoke ambience and well honed chassis balance gave these cars their unique appeal. This has not dimmed over the years.
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