[406Special]

Interesting how this thread has evolved. I have spent 24 hrs traveling away from home to deep south central Spain to go on my email to read a lot more than expected. I think we all agree anyone undertaking a restoration without full understanding of what may lie ahead and what unknowns may be found when stripping back paint, sealant and carpets, is misguided to quote Dorien. We all agree that to acquire a fully restored or decent well cared for unit may cost a lot less than undertaking a restoration, Bristols specifically.

However if you are not misguided, want a finished article which will not require expensive rework, then the only way to do it, as my father was heard to say on many occasions, was do it properly or not at all. Using myself as an example, not of a wealthy money no object collector, I know within +- 10 what it will cost as I did stacks of research and comparisons before I started, new what I wanted to achieve and based on my vision set about starting from the best and cheapest base I could find. Stripping completely allows you to either be totally confident that not much can go wrong later, or it can be fixed so it won't - for a long time at least. I am getting all of my 406 Special work done by good reputable specialists who are reasonable and excellent value, not extortionate and less than if I applied my time. I do what I can and where weekends allow, so that I keep a family/work/life balance without spending every waking hour on my hobby. However unlike some, for whom a hobby must never be completed, or another must take the place when time allows, I want my car finished asap when money and facilities enable so I can drive it everywhere!

If I was a collector and expected to retain the car for a later profit I would have chosen another car and probably done the work differently - like my 21 year old 928 S4 - it's a live daily driver which has regular rolling work to keep it near new. My 406 is a personal indulgence where I can make real my ideas and fantasies of what I want from the Bristol today, not as it was in 1959. Modernising where possible to make it tasteful, practical, economical and swift plus more comfortable, is my aim. I don't care what others may think and am sure that if I had a 400 I would not want to do what I am doing to the 406. The poor unloved 406 and some other later Bristols lend themselves to improvement and modification without a major impact on their values.

What is paramount when undertaking any restoration is to either work with people who have high standards and open minds (like Alpine Eagle), or make sure that you (as I do) involve yourself through every stage and decision, no matter how minuscule. Get lost of photos and ensure that any changes are over engineered and able to be maintained once completed. Problem with many owners who pay for restorations, and get ripped off, is ignorance and lack of thinking combined and used as an advantage by the dodgy restorers (not all of course).

Having new springs, rubber bushes, fixings, bearings and every part of the engine/clutch combo, I expect my 406 to drive as well or better (preferably) than a new car and last much longer only requiring normal maintenance thereafter.

Clyde