BRISTOL: THE GENTLEMAN’S TOURER

From fighter aircraft to streetfighter cars, Bristol is a British manufacturer of hand-built luxury cars named for its hometown of Bristol in England. This remarkable brand is reserved for those in the know, gentlemen of refinement looking for an elegant and luxurious grand tourer that has the capacity for some serious performance. The marque was formed from in 1945 as the car division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company which sought to apply its expertise and production facilities to its new future after the end of the Second World War. The car is often considered the James Bond car that James Bond never drove – the car that he should have chosen.

Bristol cars are known for their luxurious interiors, powerful engines, and elegant designs which have changed very little since the first models rolled out of its Bristol showrooms. The marque has been deliberately conservative in this respect, a trait that is rather celebrated amongst its community of Bristol owners.

Nonetheless, the company produced a wide range of models over the years, from sports cars to limousines. Some of the most popular Bristol models being the 401, the 404, the 405, and the Fighter – an homage to the brand’s aircraft legacy. The Bristol Blenheim 3 is perhaps the best known representation of the Bristol house style and the model that you are still most likely to see on the roads today.

These models would also receive minor facelifts over their production lifecycles but resembled each other more than they would differ. Bristol’s signature house style would be the two-door sports tourer with luxurious interiors and extremely spacious rear passenger seats with significantly more headroom than typical of cars in their class..

Much of the Bristol production is by hand at its Bristol factory, thus the cars were also known for their high price tags and maintenance costs. In addition, servicing and spare parts do not come cheap. In this respect, Bristols are often compared to other luxury marques such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley Bentley, historically, was their closest competitor of those that are still manufacturing. Other competitors included Gordon-Keeble and the Italian brands such as Ferrari and Maserati. The 400 model number series and, later, the Fighter model would be direct competitors to that other historic English brand, Morgan.

Bristol cars, however, were much more rare and exclusive than their rivals. Customer orders were often subject to waiting lists and production cycles that could last years. and rarity. The company only produced a small number of cars each year, which has made them even more desirable to collectors and enthusiasts.

The company has an active owners’ club with regular rallies and fairs being organised showing vintage and recent models. The car is often considered to be the car that James Bond would have driven if author, Ian Fleming, had been familiar with the brand at the time of writing his famous fictional series. Indeed, many owners consider a Bristol to be the ultimate Bond car, despite that he has never been associated with the brand.

Regardless, Bristol cars have been driven by many celebrated personalities over the years, including royalty, Hollywood movie stars, and business leaders. Some of the most famous Bristol owners included Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, actor Peter Ustinov and racing driver Tony Crook, a Bristol native who opened a dealership specialising in the brand, before eventually becoming the company’s owner.

The automotive marque has had a turbulent history, echoing the turbulent story of the Bristol Aeroplane Company that preceded it. Demand has varied significantly over the years and the long waiting times have often hurt the brand’s stating with wealthy customers who expect faster delivery. Delays in production or supply chain issues have also been a problem for the company at points in its past. In order to better service their wealthy clientele and to market to potential new customers, the brand established its head office and primary showroom in London’s St. James’s. Such efforts aside, the brand has faced bankruptcy on more than one occasion with the latest being in 2020 when the firm entered liquidation.

Nonetheless, the nostalgic luxury brand still maintains a considerable appeal amongst motoring aficionados and the brand has been poised for a revival at some point soon, potentially even introducing a brand new model and design aesthetic.

The brand’s reputation as one of the few auto manufacturers that still employed craftsmen to make parts by hand gives a cachet that few others can match. The wide range of customisation options that were typically offered also preserved the brand’s appeal amongst those who could afford to be selective. Indeed, Bristol could finish cars with some of the finest wood veneers and leather upholstery options that any maker has ever presented.

Perhaps one day the Bond universe will acknowledge the odd attachment to this illustrious marque and help put Bristol back in its rightful place as the ultimate English gentleman’s tourer.

If you are a Bristol owner or have any interesting stories to share with us about this once-great brand, we would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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