New 403 owner

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by RGSchmitt

Hal -
I can't recall whether it was this forum or the BOC one that had some
discussion of other engines suggested/fitted to a Bristol. I do
recall one owner was well into a project to put in a Volvo engine, a
4 cyl I think.

Bob, it was on here (Clyde aka 406Special). He talks about his car (Bristol 406) in these threads.

http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/6...istol-6-a.html

http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/6...ice-parts.html

PS My car was in MUCH worse condition when I found it, so don't give up.

Yes, but your fully restored Frazer Nash is probably worth ten times what a 403 would be worth!

Originally Posted by dave dale

Hal,
If you have got plenty of money, there is another alternative. Recently there are new heads being made for the Bristol 2-litre block.

Slight problem Dave - he doesn't have a Bristol 2-litre block to put the new heads on

Hal, just in case you are wondering why some people might say they haven't seen the photos you uploaded with your first post, it's because they are communicating with the forum by email.

I wish you luck with the car, but I really think it would be far cheaper in the long run to buy one that has already been done, or buy one that at the very least has it's original power train.

[GREG]

HAL - Put your email question on BEEF so you get more ideas / answers -Greg
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hal
Greg,

I really really like the 402 idea, especially since its a very glamerous looking design.

But is it possible and how and who could do the cabriolet conversion.

Hal
Yep , it's possible and has been done once or twice. Lots of coach trimmers could do it. It is relatively simple due to the strong chassis. Go and look at a 402 to see where to chop etc

Best if you look on the chassis list on the BOC and contact someone that has done it for advise.

Even with an imposter engine an imposter 402 would sell for good money.

I remember when I saw a 405 in about the same condition as yours. There was a spares or repair SAAB 900 convertible for sale with a good electric hood for £300 near my house -- that set my mind wondering !.

Maybe someone on the BEEF site has done it.

Greg

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by GREG

HAL - Put your email question on BEEF so you get more ideas / answers -Greg

BEEF was a mail list, which this site replaced.

However, wherever Hal asks his questions I can't really see that he will get different answers. The fact that his restoration doesn't stack up economically is inescapable.

Looking at the photos, the car clearly needs a fair bit of work. It would be astonishing if it could be just reassembled, 3rd party engine and gearbox installed and body resprayed.

At the end of the day there's only ever going to be a limited market for a Bristol with non original power train and the value would be considerably less than than an original car.

I know it's not all about value, but I also know from experience it's not a good feeling knowing that you have pumped a huge amount of money into a car that can never be recouped, even when you have no intention of selling it in the foreseeable future. To know that before you even start, but still go ahead with it is madness (IMHO).

It's not like it's the last 403 in the world

[GREG]

OOps - sorry about the BEEF thing Kevin

I agree about the economics but I was just sugesting that if it was to go ahead a convertible or roadsters would probably be easier to sell as there is less of them and the real ones fetch high prices.

The reason I didn't tackle the 405 was because of suicidal economics. It would have made a bonnie car though!

Greg

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by GREG

I agree about the economics but I was just sugesting that if it was to go ahead a convertible or roadsters would probably be easier to sell as there is less of them and the real ones fetch high prices.

To be honest, I missed the bit about the chop top until after I posted my response, but isn't cutting the roof off just bastardising it even further?

It's just making it even less original.

Anyone who's done their homework would know it isn't a rinky-dink original 402, plus it will have the wrong engine and gearbox as well (with modifications to suit). But not only that, once the roof has been chopped off you wouldn't even be able to convert it back to proper 403.

[GREG]

People have converted original 403's with original engines and I would bet that done well that they fetch more money.

Only a guess though.

Even Beetles and Morris Minors values increase massively once chopped and there is loads of them !!

Greg

[Max Tone]

Let's face it folks -- there are dozens of similar 401, 403 & 405s that are the wrong side of borderline restoration cases. As Clyde said, unless we get Bristol to sanction a particular replacement drive-train, they'll end up being broken & chassis weighed in for scrap, losing the Bristol identity for ever.

Siddeley/Humber engine design at least known to have been used by both FN & Bristol in prototypes.

Even with original engines, many of these basket-cases will be uneconomical to restore as large saloons with expensive to replace interiors, brightwork etc.

.........but as spartan "Bristol Specials" (or Bristol-Siddeley), they might have more hope of survival & be much cheaper to build on bare rolling chassis.

There are many interesting, fun & potentially more valuable end-results that could be looked at long-term.

I don't see any reason why the 9' 6" chassis can't be cut'n'shut to 8' or 8' 6" for a variety of body styles. One would need to obtain 404 torsion bars & mounts, but converting to coilovers cheaper:-

405 to 404 is a prime example. You get bigger rear window & maybe higher roofline, but shapes essentially there.

405 to Spartan Speedster as per 'Bullet' another possibility. Any of you graphics boys able to cut-n-shut some pics?

8' wheelbase also suits FN body styles, AC Ace, as well as Arnolt.

Le Mans rep rep rep rep anyone?...........chassis maybe a bit wide, though.

Hawk do an Ace body that might fit, but a bit blase. If there are enough chassis kicking around, might they be persuaded to take moulds from an Arnolt? (gotta find one first!)

At this level of restoration economics, ultimate survival must surely take precedence over originality...............

Comments?

Rob