Bristol Model History

United Kingdom · founded 1945

Secretive British maker of hand-built luxury GTs (1945–2011) — from BMW-derived straight-six saloons to Chrysler-V8 grand tourers and, finally, a Viper V10 supercar, all built in tiny numbers at Filton.

Models

400

Bristol's first car (1946–1950) — a post-war fusion of BMW 328 engine and BMW 326 chassis, introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.

Grand tourer · 1946–1950
401

Bristol's most popular early model — 611 built — with a wind-tunnel-developed aluminium body by Carrozzeria Touring and 85 bhp from the evolved BMW-derived six.

Grand tourer · 1948–1953
403

The most capable of the early six-cylinder Bristols (1953–1955) — 100 bhp, four-wheel disc brakes on test cars, and a 106 mph top speed.

Grand tourer · 1953–1955
404

The short-wheelbase 'Businessman's Express' (1953–1955) — only 52 built, with the spare wheel stowed in the front wings and up to 125 bhp on offer.

Coupe · 1953–1955
405

The only four-door Bristol saloon ever built (1954–1958) — 297 saloons and 43 drophead coupes, using a 105 bhp six.

Grand tourer · 1954–1958
406

The final six-cylinder Bristol (1958–1961) — 181 built, with a bored-out 2.2-litre six and the first Bristol disc brakes.

Grand tourer · 1958–1961
407

The first V8 Bristol (1961–1963) — a Chrysler 5.1-litre V8 and TorqueFlite automatic, establishing the formula every later Bristol would follow.

Grand tourer · 1961–1963
411

The fastest classic Bristol (1969–1976) — a big-block 6.3-litre then 6.6-litre Chrysler V8 producing up to 335 bhp, approximately 143 mph, 287 built across five series.

Grand tourer · 1969–1976
412 / Beaufighter

An angular Zagato-designed targa/convertible (1975–1993) — 287 built — later turbocharged and renamed Beaufighter.

Convertible · 1975–1993
603 / Britannia / Brigand

The 1976 wedge-profile two-door saloon (1976–1993) — around 80 Type 603s then 31 Britannia / Brigand variants — that carried Bristol into the Blenheim era.

Grand tourer · 1976–1993
Blenheim

Bristol's long-running final saloon (1993–2011) — a turbocharged 5.9-litre Chrysler V8, 150 mph limited top speed, built until the company entered administration.

Grand tourer · 1993–2011
Fighter

Bristol's only modern supercar (2004–2011) — a gullwing GT with a Dodge Viper-derived 8.0-litre V10, approximately 13 built.

Sports car · 2004–2011

Other makes