Bristol 400

The 400 was the most successful saloon Bristol in sporting competition.

This outstanding 1949 example is one of only three cars to leave the factory  fitted  from new with a 85C engine incorporating the triple downdraught Solex carburettors that were to be used on all subsequent Bristol 6 cylinder saloons models.

The remaining 85C  cars were despatched to Mr N Higgs General Manager of De Havilland  and Bristol Aircraft Company of New Zealand and to Sir Stanley White then Managing Director of the Bristol Aeroplane Company.

This car was  sold via University Motors Limited of Stratton House London W1 and - as usual for them - registered with the starting letters “UML”

The car was eventually bought by Dr Thorpe a well-known Bristol and Frazer Nash enthusiast and was then purchased on behalf of a client of Andrew Blow a well broker of Bristol engine cars. His client wanted a good car on which he could  proceeded to do a complete restoration to the highest standards. By this time the engine has been changed to a slightly later 85C / 1636. The original engine was 85C/1568.

Body, chassis and paintwork was done by Mitchell Motors in Chicklade known to work to the highest standards.  

The current owner acquired UML 333 in 2014 but not before a lot of money had been spent on mechanical items. These include complete restoration of engine, gearbox and overdrive by Spencer Lane Jones. Overdrive and disc front breaks were fitted as was a handmade replacement radiator in non-rusting aluminium. Oil filter and electric fan, colour match inertia reel seatbelts, connection block for Sat Nav and electricals were professionally rebuilt with negative earth wiring.

Aston Martin Specialist SCA Classic Restoration of Castle Carey  completed the full interior retrim including the beige and Admiralty  blue piped seats in leather which match with the Wilton carpeting as seen today.

In all receipts for over £ 70,000 of professional works accompany the car plus a CD of over 130 photos documenting the restoration and a large box file containing narratives and invoices for the vast amount of work done to this fabulous example of arguably Bristol’s finest car.

For further details and to arrange viewings

Contact Richard Hackett

Mobile Telephone: 07867782402

Office: 01985219551

E-mail: info@sljhackett.co.uk