Equipment
1971/85hp, 4-speed, hub caps, Firestone whitewalls, Smiths dash clock.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Represented as one of 611 made, originally delivered to Portugal. The paint, chrome and brightwork are all flat and dull. The side windows all have several deep scratches. The driver’s seat and steering wheel are severely worn but the rest of the interior looks good. The rubber around the rear glass is loose and cracked as well. The tires look very old and the underbody a little dirty. Rare, handsome, hand-built British goodness but it has plenty of needs.
Market commentary
There are many idiosyncratic British cars of the 50’s, but it is doubtful any of them are more idiosyncratic than the Bristol 401 with its wind tunnel sleek body, aircraft construction and unashamedly pre-war German BMW designed engine. At least Jaguar and Aston Martin at the time were coming up with original ideas in Britain. Nevertheless this is an eye-catching and rare (said to be one of one 611 built) piece of solid British engineering and considered design that almost no one (as evidenced by the price it brought here) recognizes. It is a project car for a dedicated enthusiast with deep pockets but one that is at this price at least not out of the question. A good value in a rare and unusual looking car.