Supercharged Bristol Special

[Kevin H]

There's a nice article in the December 2010 issue of The Automobile magazine about a Bristol "special" created by Andy Mitchell of Mitchell Motors in the UK, 6 pages including lots of pictures.

They call it a "special Bristol" but it's not really a Bristol in the real sense because it doesn't use a Bristol chassis. It does however have a Bristol engine, albeit with all new internals, plus Bristol suspension with modified axles to allow fitting of Aston DB4 wire wheels.

[Rubbond]

I think the term is "kit car"?

[GREG]

Interesting that it's called a Bristol on the insurance database even without a Bristol chassis. Is it the chassis or the engine that makes it a Bristol ? It seems the engine ! No doubt quicker than the Arnolt kits.

JSC577 is on the Motor Insurance Database today

The details on the car are:

Vehicle Make/Model: BRISTOL SPORTS
Vehicle type: PRIVATE CAR

[Rubbond]

I see Greg. Or do I?
Doesn't a car (the chassis at least) have to have been a Bristol at one time
in order to call it a Bristol Special?
I see the article does later refer to it as a Michell Special, but then why
not just a Mitchell?
According to a website I just found JSC 577 was originally an unused
registration series.
In their drop-down of marques DVLA have no Bristol with this registration,
but there is a "Bristol (BLMC)" - whatever that is - currently registered
and licenced as JSC 577:


Date of Liability 01 08 2011
Date of First Registration 03 09 1951
Year of Manufacture 1951
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1971CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour GREEN
Vehicle Type Approval


How did they do that?
Someone in any case must be colour blind.....
And I wouldn't have thought the insurance can be valid either.

By the way, I did respond to Eric in the end, but the thread had been
closed! Censure, or simply sensible?
If you are reading this Eric, no, I don't work at Bristol Cars, in fact not
for any car (or part) manufacturer. But go on Eric, show us yer letter!

[UK6]

Cooper Bristol
Lotus Bristol
Warrior Bristol
Mitchell Bristol
Bristol Special

....the machine looks to me like a well engineered car in the spirit of the
50s and a worthy foil for the Bristol engine.

Out of interest, how many supercharged Bristols were there pre 1960?
How did they perform?

Brett

[Sam410]

Originally Posted by Rubbond

"Bristol (BLMC)" - whatever that is

This was an error introduced, I understand, by DVLA when their records were computerised many years ago. I think that they did not understand the difference between the various manufacturers of Bristol cars, buses and trucks, and someone there thought that the car company had become part of the conglomerate that was the British Leyland Motor Company. As such many Bristol cars became incorrectly registered as Bristol (BLMC) instead of just Bristol.

If your car is so registered, you can if you wish return your V5 registration document to DVLA with a covering letter simply explaining that it is incorrect and they will issue a new form. There are instructions on the BOC website with details of where to write. I got a new V5 from Swansea a couple of years ago, so my 410 is now a happy Bristol again.

There is no pressing need to change it, as it makes little practical difference to anything, but it is wrong when it says Bristol (BLMC) instead of Bristol.

[Gloster]

Not sure about invalid insurance mentioned above in #4 as most garages have trade policies covering everything.

But if DVLA have not been informed of brand-new chassis and body then two linked issues arise.

It cannot retain the Bristol saloon's registration under DVLA's points system.

It cannot retain Bristol saloon's nil-VED status.

DVLA site gives very clear guide :-

"Vehicles that have been rebuilt using a mix of new or used parts.
In order to retain the original registration mark:
cars and car-derived vans must use:
The original unmodified chassis or unaltered bodyshell (i.e. body and chassis as one unit - monocoque); or a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original supported by evidence from the dealer or manufacturer (e.g. receipt).

And two other major components from the original vehicle - ie suspension (front & back); steering assembly; axles (both); transmission or engine."

[Nick Challacombe]

Rubbond is quite correct, the DVLA now admit to an error in thier records
and
carry out the change very quickly. I did this some 10 years ago and the new
registration
document came back with a couple of days plus the old one to retain history.

Nick

[entitledg]

Originally Posted by Sam410

This was an error introduced, I understand, by DVLA when their records were computerised many years ago... As such many Bristol cars became incorrectly registered as Bristol (BLMC) instead of just Bristol.
...

Right, and this mistake created a lot of confusions for the owners as well.

[Nick Challacombe]

It was very confusing for some poor souls, I met one bloke who had spent
years thinking he was driving a stretched Marina!

[GREG]

Maybe it's the Marina door handles that cause the confusion, especially on the Bristol Ital ( 412 ). A few people even confuse the Peogeot 407 !

[pasini s]

Hi Sam,


my 409 was actually listed, years ago, as a BMC. The previous owner wrote to
Swansea and they corrected the mistake.

As for this 'special', I do not think that it is so pretty. Surely it is not
so original, the shape isa bit of Lister, a bit of Lotus..... At least the
Speedster, though not pretty, is distinctive and looks like a proper
Bristol.

Ciao

Stefano

[412usa]

Like a lot of Bristol Cars the Speedster is prettier in the flesh, so to speak.

Peter

[Thor]

Yes, yes, my thoughts entirely, Bristols look much prettier in the flesh, etc., etc. How nice it might be to have a Roadster and a Speedster, as a sort of pair . . . . .

I have been perusing the Bristol Cars website (wondering how many cars to buy this month, etc.), and I am now confused about the Speedster and the Roadster. Is the Roadster the one with a proper screen and the Speedster the one with the 'Aero' Screen ?? Or is it the other way round ? or is there no longer an 'Aero' screen model ? in which case what defines Speedster and Roadster ?

I see TonyCrooksGhost is communing with us, although I think rumours of his demise may be somewhat exagerated. I wonder if this apparition is in any way related to Edward Clack ??

Thor.

[penman]

The Speedster was the original Aero screen and no roof version.

but Bristol build what you want, so someone asked for a convertible so now there is a Roadster version available.

No doubt, if you have the money, they could do a 404 revival version as well

[Thor]

Well the website mentions a '405 coupe' now, a V8 version of which would essentially be a Speed/Roadster Hard-top, if you see what I mean ! - and that would be quite close to a '404' version.

As you say, if one has the money, and the inclination, they'd probably be happy to build a Bristol Bus on an extended 603 chassis.

[GREG]

Maybe a cheap way to build your own ! If you like that kind of thing..

Sammio Spyder recreations of early 1950s sports cars

[volker]

hi Bristol People,my name is Volker and i am from Germany
Hope this is working now, am new in the Forum and since 2 years a proud owner of an
1955 Arnolt Bristol Deluxe. Former owners , converted the car into a Bolide version.
A lot of the original parts got lost . The parts i am still looking for are : Windscreen ,
sidescreens ( doorscreens ? ), and the convertibal roof .
if there is anyone out there who can help, does know who could help, or knows where
i can buy or ask......?
Thanks a lot for your help
volker
p.s. sorry for my poor english

[briwmw]

Hi Volker:
Would you please tell me the serial number of your Arnolt Bristol so that I can add it to the list.
Thanks,
Bill Watkins

[The Baron]

I raced against Andrew in his special a good few years ago, I think it was painted silver back then.
It is a very pretty and well made car very much in the spirit of the 1950's golden age of British prototype specials. Really, it's a credit to the man.
Oh and it's quite quick too.