New 403 owner

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by seanmcs

Where, please.

Sean

I think he means the ones in this picture

[Rubbond]

I did indeed!
Surely aircraft-type click-clack switches would be better - like the 1920's
domestic light switches? More functional and pleasing to the eye.
The air vents remind me of an Austin Allegro. Or I suppose any other 1970's
car. Not my period, and I think the worst period in history for design.
The shape of the 411 however is still very distinctive and pleasing, and on
this car, gone are the horrible 1970's wheels etc..
I guess Bristol were lagging 10 years behind in design at the time, maybe
later went wrong in the 1980's?
I'm not really familiar with the later models, but wasn't keen on them when
contempory.
Rgds,
Andy.

[bkz411]

My father once owned a 411 and he allowed me the priviledge of driving it
when I was 17 yrs old. A most memorable journey - not least because the
alternator was broken and we got stuck half way between Winchester and
Southampton.
Recently I had a brief love affair with an old XJS HE 5.3 but that caused me
no end of trouble, breaking down 13 times in one year, before being
converted to the security of Mercedes, and have driven an A Class, and later
a B class. My one concern with owning a classic was reliability, but as this
car comes with a new car warranty that doesn't appear to be an issue. I will
let you know as I get more accustomed to driving it - but my experience to
date has been over whelmingly good.

[Max Tone]

Now I wonder what Bristol did with all the old 411 bits, such as V8, box, suspension, axles, interior, brakes & anything else they upgraded.

Sounds like a kit of parts for your 403 Hal! The basic chassis has barely changed since 1940s, so most later stuff should be able to be retro-fitted.

Rob

[Hal]

Originally Posted by Max Tone

Now I wonder what Bristol did with all the old 411 bits, such as V8, box, suspension, axles, interior, brakes & anything else they upgraded.

Sounds like a kit of parts for your 403 Hal! The basic chassis has barely changed since 1940s, so most later stuff should be able to be retro-fitted.

Rob

I like the idea Rob, but could you fit a Chrysler V8 into the engine bay of a 403 ?

If yes, then Chrysler V8 & torqueflite box, would certainly make a more "authentic" addition, without hopefully breaking the bank.

Hal

[GREG]

Anything is possible with time , money and skills. It just depends on your resources of all three.

I would have to keep it simple as I am very limited on all three so would keep it as simple as possible. Get a good local old school mechanic to have a good look around it and get his thoughts as non of us can see it.

Greg

[Max Tone]

Anyone ken what changes were made to 406 to accept V8 for 407 & whether any V8 ever fitted to pre-404 body-style?

Might Toby be persuaded to re-build a prototype, even if only to rolling body state, to identify kit-of-parts (probably mix of new mounts, cables, linkages, pedals, expendable susp/brake/axle bits etc. & similar basic s/h running-gear bits from upgrades) required for home/trade conversions that Bristol could sell or even use for factory upgrades of 401 to Blenheim spec!

I think we can exclude fitting Fighter T V10!

Anyone ken comparative drag co-efficients from 400-412 & Blenheim?

Rob