Bristol 406

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Last of the six-cylinder Bristols, the 406 was made between 1958 and 1961 and featured elegant two-door saloon coachwork with alloy-panels that was to set the basic design template for Bristol cars for the next two decades.

Often characterised as “fast cars for rich eccentrics”, the 400 series were beautifully made and well-appointed luxury GTs that bristled with engineering refinements such as high-revving engines, slick gear changes, accurate rack-and-pinion steering and one-shot chassis lubrication. For the 406 Bristol's BMW-based engine was extensively revised and enlarged from 2.0 to 2.2 litres with a timing chain tensioner, all-round disc brakes, self-cancelling overdrive and the replacement of its predecessors' A-bracket rear suspension with a Watt's linkage. Although power remained at 105bhp, flexibility and refinement enhanced, propelling the car to 60mph in just 13 seconds with a top speed of 106mph.

Thoughtful touches included roof mounted indicator repeaters, electric screen washers, flip-up headrests for the front passengers and a radio speaker between the sunvisors. At almost £4,500 the 406 was easily the most expensive Bristol yet produced (and three times the price of a comparable Jaguar) so ownership was limited to a privileged few, only 175 examples being produced before it was replaced by the V8-engined 407 in 1961.

First registered in March 1961, this 406 has had few owners from new (all detailed in the history file) and was kept by the previous owner for nine years (1994 – 2003) during which time it was treated to a major renovation with many bills on file detailing the extent of the works carried out (amounting to around £44,000 in total).

Since he acquired the car in 2003, the vendor has continued to maintain it meticulously, numerous invoices detailing upkeep and improvements which include: rebuilt rear axle, one-shot lubrication system and overdrive unit by marque specialist Spencer Lane Jones (SLJ) in June 2003 at 54,447 miles (£3,420); full service by SLJ in March 2012 at 64,381 miles (£1,423); another SLJ service in December 2014 at 65,672 miles (£2,444); an engine overhaul by SLJ in the same year (£2,460) – basically whatever needed to be done has been done and the car is now showing just under 66,000 miles on the clock.

Needless to say the car is in very good order throughout with lustrous maroon metallic paintwork, gleaming chrome and a beautifully patinated grey leather interior piped in red. On the button and ready to go with an MOT until August 2015, this thoroughly sorted 406 is only reluctantly for sale due to the ill health of the enthusiast vendor who now only hopes that it will go to an equally appreciative new owner.

One of only 175 Bristol 406 models made and just 52 known to survive by the Bristol Owners' Club, this exceedingly rare and handsome car looks excellent value at the sensible guide price suggested and you could wait a long time to see another one for sale.