Bristols in South Africa

[Gary]

hi to all
we have a 400 needs to be restored & 401 that needs to be redone i am specifically looking for paint colors as well as trim finishes, pics of interiors and some who can supply parts
regards
gary

[Geoff Dowdle]

Gary ,
depending on the date of production your 400 could be one of the following .

1947 – 1948 Black, Maroon, Metallic Blue, Metallic Green
1949 Black, Maroon, Metallic, Blue, Metallic Green, Grey
1950 Black, Maroon, Metallic Blue, Metallic Green, Cambridge Grey, Heather Grey
To special order Bristol Red, Azure Blue, Surf Blue, Light Blue,Special Green , Off White & Ivory . Some were also supplied to dealers in primer for painting to customers unique colour .

Is your 400 Chassis 559 , if so , it was despatched in December 1948 and was originally Metallic Green . Most 1948 models had trim using Beige Leather & Brown cloth .

Pls confirm the chassis number and I should be able to advise more details about yor 400.


401 colours are
Black, Bristol Maroon, Bristol Green, Surf Blue, Azure Blue, Cambridge Grey, Heather Grey, Lavender
To special order Off White, Light Maroon, Beige Grey & Belco Chrome Green
Trim of most 401's were a special beige , although some might have been produced to order with different coloured trim.

Have you seen the website JEL450 - Bristol 400, Bristol 401, Bristol 402 and Bristol 405 classic cars , it gives a lot of information about 400's

Geoff Dowdle /Sydney Australia

[Jon McCarthy]

Geoff,

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but you may be able to assist in establishing the original colour of my 400. Its chassis 506 and was first registered in August 1948. Currently the car is an unusual shade of grey which can even be mistaken for black in some lights. It appears to be original but it would be interesting to have confirmation (or not) of this.

Thank you in anticipation.

Jon

[Geoff Dowdle]

Jon,
your 400 chassis 506 was originally Black and despatched new to British Aircraft Ltd Wellington , New Zealand on 6/9/48 , although registered LHU589 in Bristol before hand ??( Is it's current regn LHU589?)
Original Engine 85A/1329, it later ran a BS4 engine for a while before returning to England .
Do you have a record of when it returned

Regards
Geoff