Bristol 406

Bristol 406

The Bristol 406 was a sports car model of the British car manufacturer Bristol Cars Ltd.. , Which was produced from 1959 to 1961. He solved the four-door sedan Bristol from 405 and founded a whole family of similar models, the 411 Mk 5 of 1976 reached to Bristol.

The technique

The 406 was based on the well-known chassis that Bristol has already been used for more than 10 years. Its layout and the dimensions have not been changed, but the 406 was a new rear axle design, which originated from the supplier Salisbury and brought a significant increase in driving comfort with it.

The Bristol 406 was still powered by a six-cylinder engine, which was based on the design of the BMW 327. For the new model, however, Bristol had revised the known engine significantly. With a constant bore the now -called Type 110 engine had a noticeably increased stroke, so that the engine capacity now amounted to 2.2 liters. The maximum output was comparatively modest 105 hp, but the engine had increased torque handling in the lower speed range for the result, so that the car accelerated better overall. The maximum power was now already provides at 4,700 rpm. The gearbox had an unchanged on four courses and had an overdrive.

A special feature of the Bristol 406 were his four wheel disc brakes, which were purchased from Dunlop.

The body

As for the construction of building, Bristol walked into uncharted territory with the 406: Although the outer skin of the building was still made of aluminum. Unlike its predecessors, the body shell was based not on a scaffold made ​​of ash, but on a steel structure. It was produced by the company Jones Brothers in Willesden; artisanal completion of the cars was, however, itself at Bristol

The stylistic design of the building went through a process of change. When the Bristol 406 in October 1957 at the Earls Court Motor Show was presented to the public, he wore an unusual, almost Mediterranean body of the Swiss coachbuilding company Beutler in Thun. The car had a low waistline and a filigree roof structure with very thin vehicle column. Bristol considered initially to take this body for series production. Ultimately, said Tony Crook, the co-owner of the company, but on the other hand made ​​; according to some reports, he kept the production quality of Swiss design for insufficient.

Instead Bristol designed in the course of 1958, its own body, which was presented in the summer. The factory body fell from more conservative. It was a large, four -seat coupe, which was usually referred to as " Saloon" in English usage. Beltline and roof were equally high. The A and the C-pillar reported compared to Beutler's design on a significantly lower slope; in particular the far set back C-pillar was very wide. The body was generally designed to offer more than enough space for four adults. She established a long-standing objective of the company: " Dignified traveling for four six -feet persons". The front end was long; between the front edge of the door and there were already known from the Bristol compartments 405 on the one hand and on the other harboring the spare battery and the power steering pump.

The first cars had - as the 404 and 405 - in addition to the two headlights a central auxiliary lights, which was housed in the radiator opening. This design feature was abandoned after a few months; subsequent vehicles of the 406 carried two additional headlights that were positioned on both sides outside the radiator opening.

The Bristol 406 was in August 1958 in production; it was built two years. His price was - including taxes - at 4,500 British pounds. Thus, the Bristol 406 was significantly more expensive than its competitors, most of which offered better performance. During this period about 160 copies of the Bristol 406; other estimates, which sometimes assume a production of nearly 300 copies, are likely to go far in the face of limited attractiveness of the vehicle.

The performance

Equipped with the engine type 110 factory vehicle was not a sporty car. The 105 hp were - largely thanks to the decent torque and matched rear axle - able to move the carriage to useful intermediate sprints; However, what As for the top speed, the Bristol fell off over its competitors. The work had long been proudly points out that his car a top speed of 100 mph ( = 160 km / h) achieved - among others wore the demonstration of the plant regularly the code " 100 MPH " or " 100 MPH " -; in the case of the Bristol 406, this value was, however, only be realized with a lot of effort and a long run. This was in addition to the adverse aerodynamics especially with the 1.5 tons of very high curb weight.

Special models

Bristol 406 Beutler

The Swiss coachbuilding company Gebrüder Beutler in Thun upgraded 1957, the first model of the Bristol 406 with a stack of. Whether Beutler next to this " prototype" other 406 chassis clothed, is unclear. A Swiss newspaper report estimates that at least two other Beutler models exist that emerged at the initiative of private customers.

Bristol 406 Zagato

In the late 1950s the Milanese Zagato body shop asked a series of special bodies for Bristol ago. The contract for this project was not granted by Bristol itself, but by Anthony Crook Motors, the largest Bristol- dealer of his time. ( Only ) there the 406 Zagato was expelled. The reason for the deal was Tony Crooks sense of the inertia of the plant 406. In an interview with the British magazine Classic cars, he said: "The people wanted more and more ingredients for their Bristol. This made the car heavier. On the other hand, they wanted faster cars. So we commissioned Zagato to develop a lighter, faster Bristol ".

The design of the 406Z came from Gianni Zagato. The distinctive notchback body, which had headlights with plexiglass cover and a conspicuous kink over the rear wheels was completely made ​​of aluminum and was significantly lighter than the factory bodywork. She was lower, narrower and - thanks to a reduced tail - even shorter than the factory 406. Zagato version was equipped with a revised Bristol engine, which, given an increased compression now delivered 130 hp. Thus, the car reached a top speed of 180 km / h ( 125 mph ).

The production process was divided into several phases. In Bristol- Filton factory, the chassis including engine were built. They were transported to Milan, where Zagato provided the car with a body and interior mounted. The finished cars were then driven by Bristol- employees on its own wheels to the UK. There, Bristol revised the car again, as Tony Crook was not satisfied with the quality of Italian artisans. After his appearance fits, clearances, and occasionally the paint were regularly revised.

The 406 Zagato was unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1959. A total of six vehicles of this type were produced. How many of them still exist today, is unclear. Tony Crook went to an interview from 2001 estimates that four vehicles were alive; appeared in 2009 on the company's website, however, the information that still existed five vehicles. In any case, they are very exclusive, very vintage looking, reach prices in the six-figure pound range.

In addition to these quasi standard 406 Zagato some older chassis type Bristol 400 Bristol 403 and were subsequently provided with a body that corresponded to that of the 406 Zagato. None of the cars carried the 2.2-liter engine from the Type 110, but all were equipped with the older 2.0-liter engine of the 400 series. How many such vehicles have been produced is not known; some reports go out of "at least three " vehicles. A news release from 1962, which dealt primarily with the Bristol 407 Zagato GTZ, reported that the initial interest of the customers had, soon subsided; 1962 still had most of these cars unsold been in Crooks stock ..

Bristol 406 S

1960 created two special models of the Bristol 406 with a shortened chassis. They are called Bristol 406 S ( short). Each received a Type 110 engine and the chassis of the Bristol 406 Both wear independent bodies.

• A 406 S was fitted with a body manufactured at Filton in Bristol. The front fascia was similar to that of the Bristol 404, the same applies to the roof line. However, the 406 S pointed sideways on heavily accented beading, which led to sharp -designed tail fins. The car was a time of Tony Crook down before it took over a private buyer. In the 1980s, he was restored by Bristol.

• The second 406 S was karosseriert Zagato. This model has no stylistic similarities with the regular 406 Zagato models. It is, rather, a hatchback body whose front end was anticipating the design of the Bristol 407 Zagato. The headlights were behind a glass cover. The rear fenders were strongly arched. The Bristol 406 S Zagato became the model for the presented one year later Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. According to Tony Crook both cars looked very similar. The 406 S Zagato has been used for a long time by Tony Crooks daughter Carol. He remained unique.

Competitors

• Alvis TC/108G and TD
• Jensen 541
• Lancia Flaminia Coupe and GT