Help! 1953 Bristol! What model Bristol is this?

[Michael Oram]

This appears to be a 401/3, the last 401 produced which had anti roll bar at the front, PF770 headlights and the grille was normally the colour of the body.
This could have been changed as can the badges?
The registration is Berkshire Feb 1953, probably Reading and can be checked thro. this link

Berkshire car registration letter code RX

We have the same model 401 registered MXF 682, Feb 1952 in London.

[penman]

Would the 403 badges be stuck on or have locating pins through holes in the bonnet?
If the latter then there should be evidence of holes having been filled in or it has had an earller bonnet fitted if it is a 403

[Geoff Kingston]

The 403 badges are located by two pins so there woud be two sets of holes for them on the bonnet and one on the boot lid which also carried the 403 badge.
The badges in the photograph look in good condition so it may simply be a case of a later addition, I remember in the mid 80's there was a period where you could still get red badges but the earlier ones were in short supply.
I also checked a pair of grills I took off a late 401 a few years ago and they were silver like the 403's but again this could have been done when the car was restored. My 403 is fitted with the earlier style of badges front,back and on hubcaps but the later style of coachwork badge.

[Geoff Dowdle]

It's not that difficult to open the bonnet and look at the chassis number on the LH chassis rail and ID plate on the firewall, which gives all the information needed.
Geoff

[peterg]

Out of interest my 403 grills were originally painted red and then over painted silver, but I don't know whether it was done by Bristol or when it was later painted silver.