Bristol 412 / Beaufighter History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Introduced in 1975 alongside the new 603 saloon, the 412 was a dramatic stylistic departure: a square-cut, angular targa-roofed convertible designed by Zagato — the Italian coachbuilder's second collaboration with Bristol after the rare 406 Zagato coupés. The fixed roll hoop with removable roof panels gave an open-air character that no previous Bristol had offered, while retaining the Chrysler V8 and rear-wheel drive layout.
From around 1980 a turbocharged version of the 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 was offered, and this variant was named the Beaufighter (after the Bristol Aeroplane Company's legendary WWII twin-engine fighter-bomber). The Beaufighter was among the most powerful road cars Bristol ever sold. A rare full convertible variant called the Beaufort was also produced. The 412/Beaufighter line ran until 1993; combined production across all variants reached approximately 287 examples.
Body styles
- Targa convertible
Notable special editions & performance variants
Beaufighter
Turbocharged development of the 412 targa, sold under the Beaufighter name — Bristol's performance flagship of the 1980s.
Beaufort
Full power-hood drop-top convertible variant of the 412/Beaufighter body, built left-hand drive as an intended US-market car; only a single example is recorded.
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