Custom Soft Top

[Rubbond]

I couldn't agree more.
Just buy any convertible and leave this car alone!
I have a TR4 and and a Series 1 Land Rover, neither of which ever have a
roof on them. I just drive them when it isn't going to rain.
My wife has a Saab convertible, with a super roof, but simply never uses it.
But that's a different issue.
Have fun, but don't ruin a perfectly good saloon/coupé. They're prettier as
they are.
Andrew.

[406Special]

Thanks George, I had seen this site the other day with others. I agree your man Matthew is right about getting the look spot on as the roof line needs to be curvaceous but taut implying a very special and strong frame over such a large, albeit narrow, cockpit.

Kevin, Agree with the points noted except the choice of a Stag - not for me. Converting the 406 to a DHC would need to be done very well to make it worthwhile, let alone desirable as a value improvement. I am merely seeing if anyone has experience of doing it or knows if it has been done. Another issue I thought about on the way in to London today was the fuel filler point, normally high on the left rear wide pillar. This would need to be moved to the highest point on the top of the side or back of the car and may cause a dramatic reduction on fuel tank capacity to ensure the difference between filler height and full level in the tank. May even force the car to be a 2 seater rather than a full 4 seater putting in the undesirable category straight away.

I like the 406 as it is, I am merely considering the possibility, so don't assume I am about to blow much hard earned moeny on a fool's folly.

My car will be air conditioned irrespective of hard or soft top anyway. Apart from feasibility, even if plausible, cost will be the final arbiter as to whether or not I go this route. In the meantime I am considering changing my 928S4 later this year with a slightly young 630i convertible, so that may just solve my dilemma.

Clyde

[Peter.Kent]

I reckon you`d buy a reasonable 412 for the price of the conversion. So,
then you`d have a pair of Bristols ... everyone`s dream. P

[alistair]

Clyde
You need to take a look at a 405 drophead. In particular at the hood frame which is complex but effective. Not only must it seal properly at the screen and around the door windows but it must fold so that the car still looks good with the hood down. It is critical that the frame is properly adjusted to fit the car and the roof line is right before it is covered - once it is trimmed it is too late. If the frame is right (particularly the wood parts) a competent trimmer will turn out a nice job. I think you could copy the 405 hood frame design and a similar rear seat arrangement should work as the 406 is wider. The S L-J chopped 406 is in his works - I saw it today. Values of one offs are a tricky area but I think that the potential value of your project would be much enhanced as a drophead - providing it looked right.
Alistair Hacking

[406Special]

Alistair,

Is the 405 DHC a 2 seater or 4? Having looked at the car with top up, it has no side glass behind the front doors (for passengers) just the soft top hood. I think it's a good idea to see how it's been done on the 405 and maybe it's a good starting point.

I am intrigued that SL-J has begun his 406 project (DHC). I saw the drawing of his convertible on his office wall back in 1999 and I have no intention of waiting 10 more years to get my car completed, with or without a top. Value-wise, if it is a professional job with good looks, whether it retains the original front screen glass, or loses some space in the rear seat or other modifications, I think it will be more desirable and therfore more valuable. But as they say in real estate, never over invest! I am investing plenty already!

Thanks for everyone's great inputs.

Due to some health issues past 4-5 months I haven't progressed very far anyway, but there again my engine is still not quite finished and Alpine Eagle have been busy with restoration of Indian RR and other stuff. My aim, if all goes well and I get my business back to strength (and me) quite soon, is to make a large push to get as much done during 2009 and try to get it completed 6 months later than originally planned - about April 2010, exactly 50 years after it was made by BCL.

Clyde

[Claude]

Originally Posted by 406Special

Is the 405 DHC a 2 seater or 4? Having looked at the car with top up, it has no side glass behind the front doors (for passengers) just the soft top hood. I think it's a good idea to see how it's been done on the 405 and maybe it's a good starting point.
Clyde

The 405 is a four seater, although the back of the rear seat was custom made after the roof was chopped. The infill fabric in lieu of the rear side window is another compromise... Bristol never quite got the rear window right in any of its cars.. It should have been a crank-down and the popout would not work on a drophead unless Abbott had kept the frame. I would at least have a plastic window sewn in, or even zip open fabric.

The key question is to find out how to get a 405DH frame... you need to find one of 46 cars that is so far gone as not to be worth saving.

Here is your 406 with a 405 drophead top and I repainted the car from yellow to blue.

http://quick.village-town.com/406dh.jpg

On the discussion about strengthening the car, keep in mind, the 405 DH came from a 4 door 405 and it had no roll bar or any other additional strengthening. The body on the car does very little for its structural integrity. Bristols can be driven without a body at all. While the body adds crash protection, it is lightweight aluminium that is riveted, not welded onto the steel frame. The design came from a time when the manufacturer made the chassis and rolling stock, but then turned many of their cars over to a custom body shop - especially in Italy, but also in the UK and USA (Chevy... body by Fisher, for example)

Claude

[alistair]

Clyde
The 405 DHC is best described as a 2+2 with the rear seats more suitable for children. The hoodframe is pivoted in the B post area so the rear seat is narrower than on the saloon to allow room for the hoodframe to fold down each side of the seat. The backrest is moved forward to give space for the hood to fold behind the seat. But the 406 is a bigger car and I think in this case you would be able to retain a rear seat which was large enough for adults. I think it is very unlikely indeed that you would find a 405 DHC hoodframe - and anyway I think dimensions would need to be altered to fit the 406. You would need to find a bare 405 hoodframe from a car currently being restored from which you could copy the design.
An intriguing prospect worth pursuing!
Alistair