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| 6 cyl Bristol cars Type 400 to 406 - restoration, repair, maintenance etc |
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22-04-09, 09:02 AM
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chop
Well, I think we should always dream, but total restoration of
Bristols is not cheap, and rebuilding them to a different format is probably always going to be even dearer, as you will try things differently from original and they may need to be redone. Maybe in a recession you could get lots done for less, but I'm doubtful about that. I agree that putting a soft top onto a rather smart car like a 406 needs to be done with care; otherwise could look quite dowdy. The 400 of Marlborough looks fine with quite a lot of folded stuff among the curves and external guards of the body, but in my humble opinion such folded canvas would look ridiculous on a 406. I'm also noting caution on the part of top/hood makers as to the outcome visually. But, with devoted application, anything can be done. Just wondering about the integrity of the body if the lid is chopped off. Must need some reinforcement. Sean 
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22-04-09, 11:18 AM
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Quote:
Keep in mind, the Bristol has a full chassis that provides all the structural integrity, unlike modern monocoque bodies that rely on the body to hold together. In fact, if you examine the car you will find that the body is held on outriggers... in the 405DH the spans were timber. The strength of the car is in the massive steel underneath. Claude
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22-04-09, 11:38 AM
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http://www.villageforum.com/bristol%20406c.jpg
Photoshop montage of a 406 with Corvair Corsa roof. The rear glass may prove to be an interesting challenge unless upper window frame is retained. Can you email me a better side photo of the 406? The club does not seem to have such a profile. Claude
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22-04-09, 12:57 PM
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Custom Soft Top
Claude:
Well I am familiar with the super chassis. But I still wonder if you chop off the lid, the remaining metal will not be open to distortion/ vibration. The Alivs cars were built with that in mind and they were fine. So, quite a lot of work in a 406 Bristol. Sean
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22-04-09, 02:40 PM
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Custom Soft Top
It will depend on how the body is mounted / bolted to the frame. Typically
a body sits on rubber circular pads that in turn sit on the frame. There is movement on the rubber pads and if the body is not rigid enough ( how much is enough?) then the movement will cause doors to jam and paint to crack. The door gaps will shift and not be parallel. Dorien
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22-04-09, 04:10 PM
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Custom Soft Top
I assume that the 412 has it`s substantial hoop between the removable roof
and the soft bit at the back is to keep the body/ chassis rigid. Given that the chassis etc is much the same on the 406, perhaps that is needed. P
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22-04-09, 05:46 PM
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A reminder from the past
I was reminded about the crucial nature of hood design if Clyde takes the top off his 406 while I was dog walking this morning as a Cortina Mk2 Crayford Convertible drove past with the hood up. The design just screams compromise from every direction and is decidly unhappy in almost all area such as visibility, taughtness and so on. Frankly the original metal top is a far better design.
I remember that when the first Ford Ka was designed what eventually became the StreetKa was part of that design from the very start years before it finally emerged. At least that way its integrated. Sometimes these versions are designed and never see the light of day outside the company like the coupe versions of the Mk1 Focus - both of them! I'd suggest that its a lot cheaper to draw and waste lots of paper or CAD images (has anyone done a proper 3D scan of a 406?) before you embark on the final version in the metal. Notwithstanding that, what an adventure Clyde - good luck with it.
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