A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

For those unaware, but who may be interested, several photos of a recently-completed Blenheim, described in a phone call from Toby Silverton to me as a "one-off Blenheim 4," the design was the result of the owner's input working with BMLtd personnel, are shown in the Photo albums at the BOC site, under a heading of AGM 2009.

Though the photos could not be made at the most advantageous quarter angles, they are very interesting to look at, particularly since a couple of them show the new car right beside a B 3. The paint on the two cars, if not the same are very similar, a light silvery blue, so the cars can be examined closely without the distraction of very different paint colors.

A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

Interesting comparison between the latest and previous or older
Blenheim. The older one shown is an LPG version. The new car has
two bulges running down either side of top of the roof indicating a
seam that is otherwise not apparent on previous Bristols of any age
or model. The roof is curved more on either side, as is the higher
rear boot line. The rear light cluster is new (what car are they
from?) and the boot lid is less cluttered and more curved as well,
complete with the colour coded bumpers and modern rear parking assist
devices embedded.

Clyde

A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

Can you provide a link? I do not find a photo album section on the BOC
site.
Thanks,
Dorien

A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

The link to the photos is as follows, but will need your BOC web
login to access.

http://boc.net/cms/modules/xcgal/dis...&pos=9&pid=428

Clyde

A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

The rear lights are from a 1990's Audi A4 Avant (estate).

Andrew



>

Blenheim 4 Pictures
 

Hi All,

I posted pictures of the Blenheim 4 on the Yahoo BOCForum site. Link Below:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BOCFor...52388/pic/list

Far from professional quality, they were taken outside the Factory with a compact digital camera. My excitement upon collecting the "new baby" also limited the number of shots I took. Rather than "snap" it, I just wanted to "hit the road".

Richard

But, there are those who don't have access to yahoogroups, as well.

A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

For some reason my reply didn't appear next to the original email i was
responding to, so i have resent it adding it to that comment.

Original message: (Quote) - Interesting comparison between the latest and
previous or older Blenheim. The older one shown is an LPG version. The new
car has two bulges running down either side of top of the roof indicating a
seam that is otherwise not apparent on previous Bristols of any age or
model. The roof is curved more on either side, as is the higher rear boot
line. The rear light cluster is new (what car are they from?) and the boot
lid is less cluttered and more curved as well, complete with the colour
coded bumpers and modern rear parking assist devices embedded. - (End
Quote)

My reply - The rear lights are from a 1990's Audi A4 Avant (estate).

Andrew

Blenheim 4 Pictures
 

Looks a lot more modern with the changes, far smoother. Quite an
improvement and when next to a current Blenheim 3, it makes the 3 look so
dated.

Andrew

Blenheim 4
 

Louis I have uploaded an album titled "Blenheim 4" on this site; hope you can see this one!

Andrew you are correct re the rear lights being Audi, however they are from this decade not the '90's.

Richard

Interesting. I far prefer the 3.

Blenheim 4
 

Sorry Richard i stand corrected.

The car is a vast improvement on the Blenheim 3, you must be very proud.

Andrew

Thank you!

Blenheim 4
 

Andrew I am very pleased with how the car turned out; (more thrilled actually). Feeling Proud? No not really, as my input was very minor compared to that of Toby Silverton...... he conceived the design and guided the factory personnel towards the final result. Toby and the Filton Crew are the ones that should be feeling proud. I am pleased that almost everyone thinks it's turned out well.

Richard

A "one-off" Blenheim 4, seen at the AGM
 

(Quote) - browning l

Interesting. I far prefer the 3. (End Quote)

I think it's all down to personal taste. Whilst i like the Blenheim 3, i do
think it's time for a more radical makeover since it is starting to age
quite heavily now. A smaller window area would help with this, added to a
less severe nose. Though i think the former would require an all new body
design. Easy to say of course when i'm not the one paying for the
development costs.

Andrew

Hi
I have added a further album with the 2 models side by side.
The roof bumps are a treatment similar to that on many mainstream cars, where roof rack fittings are mounted, and has been done to remove the over door guttering.
Both cars are gas powered and the lining of the boot lid also incorporates a fastening for 2 BOC umbrellas (not shown opn the photos)

I think is a definite improvement with the smoothed flanks and redesigned front and rear which always looked a bit awkward and heavy, especially the rear with the old Vauxhall Senator lights. The interior is also an improvement - glad they have ditched the underdash air con unit and integrated this with the rest of the heating system.

Andrew, I am very happy for Richard...it's what he wanted and it is just wonderful that he is pleased with it.

As a very recent newby to Bristols, the thing that attracted me to the 603 and its derivatives was that B had not gone to the ubiquitous wedge shape one sees everywhere. Will they someday? Who knows. Also, since only Bristols that are at least 25 years old can come into the US, I really didn't have much choice.

Many of today's redesigns in the industry are, to me, bulbous. See Chrysler and Bentley, to mention only two. I can't accept these as possessing classic styling.

These things are totally subjective, of course, and can not be any other way.

As we age, I believe it is normal for many of us to revert to the things we liked from yesteryear. As I will turn 77 in a few weeks, I definitely fall into that camp!

The greatest thing is that Bristol and Toby S. are trying to respond to their customer base.

Richard, it's a lovely car whatever way you hang it. The reshaping of the boot really works. I like the smoothed flanks, particularly as they taper towards the rear.

It is fantastic that in this day and age you can have a completely unique car built for you, rather than an optioned up product trying to stand out from every other version on the road

Imagine trying to ask Bentley to completely reshape every panel for you? I suppose that is the difference between hand made and bespoke.

Paul

Thanks to those who took the trouble to post the photos of the new Blenheim on this site for everyone to see.

Just to confirm, they can be found in the following albums;
http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/album.php?albumid=37
http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/album.php?albumid=36

My personal view is that the new design is an improvement, particularly at the rear end. It's a shame the plastic gear change surround wasn't changed to match the lovely burr walnut dash.