It appears as if they valued the name above all else.....

It all seems very odd and the lack of info infuriates. Also why has Toby Silverton resigned suddenly? Perhaps he has devoted enough time to Bristol and wants to concentrate on his successful businesses for a change.... Perhaps he will will put his side of the story forward one day - we only have Tony Crook's side so far.

Did anyone seriously think otherwise?

Bristol Cars Management

The content from a press release:

Kensington, 22nd November, 2011
Embargo: Immediate

It has been announced today that Toby Silverton, the Managing Director of
Bristol Cars, is stepping down in order to concentrate on his aviation
businesses.

William Chia, Director of Bristol Automotive Group and Group Director of
Operations of Frazer-Nash, said: "We would like to take this opportunity to
thank Toby for helping us during the crucial transition period since we became
guardians of the Bristol Cars marque in April and we're delighted that we will
still have access to his input should the need arise. This is an exciting
chapter in the company's history in which we are investing in the development of
new Bristol cars adopting Frazer-Nash's green technology as well as in the
Kensington showroom, which will continue to sell the best selection of cars from
Bristol's magnificent 65 year history."

Mr Silverton added: "I am profoundly optimistic about Bristol's future. The
next-generation technology, engineering resource and investment that Bristol now
has access to will ensure that the new cars live up to their high tech heritage.
I am looking forward to returning full-time to head up my interests in the
aviation industry and will be pleased to assist Bristol Cars in whatever way I
can."

The appointment of a new General Manager of Bristol Cars will be announced soon.
In the meantime, it is very much business as usual.

Ends...

No dedicated web page yet but photos have been taken for some kind of publicity.....

Grant Robinson photography: Bespoke Bristol Cars

Nice pictures of cars that Bristol Cars built !

I know someone that has just ordered a series 6 with Bristol Cars ! So Bristol Cars is still alive and taking orders and this new company is just competition for the official manufacturer.

If a few people leave Rolls Royce or Ferarri and build you a car, it wont have the same provenance as a car built by the manufacturer ! I guess it will be the same with Bristol.

If this new company is busy, it's a shame that the new owners of Bristol Cars didn't take them all back on.

I hope they all succeed and do well.

Is this the first Fraser Nash Bristol electric vehicle ?

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Very economical with styling similar to the early BMW 328 / Bristol 400 / Fraser Nash !

This single seater sports version is probably best suited to the smaller Bristol owner but it is exempt from the London congestion charges and has free road tax.

Perfect for Richard Hammond to test drive on Top Gear

THE NEW BRISTOL-What?
 

Greg: thanks so much for helping me in my search for an affordable Bristol! At 5 foot 9, this may be a squeeze, but perhaps the chassis can be lengthened a few inches to accomodate my larger frame. I do, however, have a great grandson and he will fit perfectly in a year or so. In the meantime, I can own a Bristol and display it in my office. Good things come to he who waits......

Mr Silverton told me that he re employed the best members of Bristol Cars staff when FN took over.

I must admit that I am concerned that the Heritage Trust archives are now stored for a fee paid by members of the BOC and BODA to this new restoration company.

It also concerns me that they seem to advertise themselves as the new Bristol Manufacturer of the old models when the FN Bristol Cars are still taking orders for S6 models and have a service centre and showroom. I thought the BOC club supported the manufacturer first ? Yet BODA is not supported or advertised ,even when owners are helped with parts and expertise, yet this restoration company is !

The new company have even had photographs taken of cars restored by Bristol Cars to use for advertising !

I would like to know what the storage costs were for the HT archives before they were moved for this £2k / year bargain and if all agree that it is ethical for Mr Lovesey to work for the new company ( as advertised ) that is in competition with the manufacturer we support and to have full access to the archives ?

Although, we have been assured that the archives are secure, it would be very unusual if a landlord doesn't have access to his own property !!

Dinnergate to Archivegate it seems ( maybe a communication problem )

And one or two vested interests ! ? Clarification please

I support FN Bristol Cars LTD

What does the BOC support and are the BOC members financially supporting a business that competes with the manufacturer we support ? Is it fair competition ?

Hmmm...yes but this is the same Mr Silverton who claimed the company was trading successfully when it wasn't - although in his defence it would be rather unproductive to keep announcing doom and gloom all the time to staff and customers.

They need to get young blood in anyway - its all very well having 500 years of car building experience, but they won't be there forever. I am sure things will become clearer as the months go on - I am trying to clear out from my head images of small electric wheeled bubbles with Bristol badges and keeping an open mind!