Bristol Blenheim 3

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The Bristol car movement has always had a maverick streak running through it, this being an essential part of the marque's appeal.

The company's long term owner, Tony Crook, looked at the world from an entirley different angle to most car company proprietors, openly making the purchase of his products as difficult as possible to sort the wheat from the chaff. His policy of "no riff-raff" was certainly different, as was his refusal to lend any cars to journalists, who he clearly held in some contempt!

He always kept his production levels very close to his chest – indeed when asked during a press launch how many cars he actually produced, he haughtily replied “I will never make more than 150 in one year” - an evasive riposte to say the least, as "fewer than a handful" was probably closer to the truth!

With such low volumes of production, the model life-cycle was measured in decades rather than years. The first V8 Chrysler-engined Bristol was the 407 which arrived in 1961. Its alloy, hand-made body was built onto a separate chassis and the suspension (independent at the front) used a live rear axle. This basic model ensured the marque’s survival through the Eighties and beyond, remarkably forming the basis of all subsequent models (Britannia, Brigand and Blenheim) before Bristol went into administration in 2011.

In final form it had gained multi-point fuel injection, a four-speed auto gearbox and yet another revised interior. Beautifully finished and very civilised, it needed to be at the price-tag, this example coming with its original bill of sale from 2000 totaling over £127,000!

A car built by individuals for individuals, this two-owner example was ordered new by Robert d’Aubigny who was living in Monaco. He ran a company called Exegesis, a business which was to become notorious for running cult-like seminars on self-improvement.

Ordered in Silver with Cashmere leather upholstery, a heated windscreen added £1,227 to the bill, which also included a lower axle ratio, twin fillers, special a/c outlets on the dash, extra wood fillets (£3,000), concealed cubby holes alongside the rear seats (£2,796) and a £2,800 radio navigation system – thankfully Bristol threw in a lockable veneered cover to the spare space below the radio area free of charge - which was nice.

In 2004 it came into the ownership of the vendor, its second keeper from new. The file of documentation includes detailed correspondence with Bristol Cars regarding service and repair work. Nine old MOTs show that when purchased, it had covered a little over 20,000 miles, the odometer now indicating a total of 46,641 miles. It is MOTd until October 2015 and retains its original hand book.

Although a little awkward looking to some, Bristols have always retained an intensely loyal following, which has included amongst others the erudite motoring writer LJK Setright and the maverick pop star Noel Gallagher. This well cared-for, late model is only on offer due to ill health and is looking for a new ndividualist to become only its third custodian. But remember - "no riff raff"!