Bristol 407 Saloon

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Bristol cars had reached a nadir by the late 1950s. Despite the excellence of their aerodynamics gained from long experience of aircraft manufacture, these delicately clothed saloons no longer cut the mustard with their pre-war straight-six engines.

Bristols were simply not powerful enough any more and the competition had caught on to making slippery aerodynamic cars themselves. Something had to be done. So while the rest of the world went weak at the knees for the new Jaguar E-Type, the boffins at Filton were quietly installing a big new engine into a reworked chassis that was to become the basis of Bristol cars for the next five decades.

Launched in 1961, the 407 had a new Canadian-built Chrysler 5,130cc V8 that produced a hefty 250bhp. It could propel the car to 60mph in 9.9 seconds before it topped out at 122mph, a doubling of the previous model’s horsepower and adding 20mph to the top end. The rifle-bolt manual gear change of the Bristol 405 was gone, replaced by the 3-speed Torqueflite automatic.

Externally the 407 had the front end styling of its predecessor but the rest of the car was less curvaceous, gaining sharper lines and flatter panels care of the pencil of Bristol designer Dudley Hobbs. A milestone car for Bristol, it was to form the template for every new Bristol saloon up to and including the Zagato-penned cars.

Driving a Bristol V8 is a lesson in the quietly unexpected. These are fast cars without a doubt, and have handling and road holding that belies their bulk. They look upright and foresquare but they can pick up their skirts and scoot along with alacrity when required. Beautifully finished and very civilised, Bristols were built by individuals for individuals, their bespoke quality, understated looks and very high cost being an intrinsic part of the marque’s appeal.

As copies of the factory records confirm, this 407 was dispatched from Bristol Cars Filton to Anthony Crook Motors on 6th June 1962, and is one of an estimated 88 made of which probably only 20 or so remain in roadworthy condition. A frequent visitor to the Filton factory for regular service and restoration work, the previous owners have never been shy in spending the necessary amounts of money to maintain it in excellent condition.

It has a fine coat of Bristol red over what is a very straight body with even shut lines and panels which flow seamlessly from one to another. The car is showing an unwarranted 62,750 miles on the clock but was fitted with a ‘new old stock’ 313ci V8 in 2008 by the factory.

The cream leather interior features bespoke front headrests with updated seat belts front and rear and was treated to a sympathetic refurbishment in 2010 at a cost of some £4,260. It also has a rotary fan on the rear parcel shelf for demisting on those damp and foggy winter mornings. An original Antony Crook St Christopher charm is also still affixed to the dashboard although this is mounted upside down for some reason – perhaps for additional good luck?

Recently treated to a rebuilt steering box, the car is said to drive as a good 407 should and comes with an MOT until the end of October 2015. Described by the vendor as being “in generally very good condition throughout”, he advises that the only worthwhile improvements might be to re-chrome the rear bumper and perhaps replace some of the fabric in the boot.

Supplied with a detailed service history this fine old Bristol, with very few miles on a brand new engine, should provide reliable and gentlemanly transport for many decades to come.

Catalogue Amendment: Complete bottom end rebuild. New bearings, big ends and mains, replacement crankshaft, rebuilt oil pump with full engine service. Full transmission service, with sump removed and valve rack serviced and overhauled. All carried out by Spencer Lane Jones, 65 hours at £60/hour with approx £1,000 parts bill. Spencer Lane Jones recommend this Bristol is returned after 1,000 miles running in for final check and oil service. Driven carefully 110 miles to our auction site.