Any suggestions for alternatives to a Bristol?

[potential]

Admin note: I noticed Ken re-started this thread so I have copied across the relevant posts from the original thread which is now closed. Kevin.

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Hi there

I don't own a Bristol but I've been tempted by them for a long time. I think I have the will power to wait until I find one in the condition I would want, rather than buy one requiring improvement. Along the way, I've been considering alternatives which have some of the Bristol qualities and I'd welcome opinions from this group on their suitability;

* A Mercedes W107 450 SLC seems understated, comfortable and well screwed together.
* A Lancia Flavia 1800 coupé has the engineering detail which drove Lancia to bankruptcy.
* A Rover P5 3L has the traditional interior and build quality which the Leyland era 3.5L didn't continue.
* A Reliant Scimitar SE4 coupé has the around town style and rorty V-engine.


Any good contenders I've missed?

I had suggestions ranging from Alfetta to Bentley T1 and the talk stirred up a few ideas such as Fiat 130 but I'd also be glad to hear any other.

For avoidance of doubt, there are other threads to discuss the number of dead bodies you can fit in a 411, whether they would have survived if the rear window was easier to open and if the Detroit Mob were responsible.

regards,
Ken

[potential]

Originally Posted by potential

I have copied across the relevant posts from the original thread which is now closed. Kevin.

Thank you - just the thread went off topic so quickly and I'd really appreciate some opinions from people who know Bristols well.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by potential

Thank you - just the thread went off topic so quickly and I'd really appreciate some opinions from people who know Bristols well.

No problem at all. Although we stayed on topic for over 20 posts before some other things started to creep in. That's quite good for Bristol forums

Thinking more about this and the grand cars of the 1960s and 70s, most, if not all of them had their own character and quirks which attracted certain individuals, so it is quite difficult to make direct comparisons and offer genuine alternatives. I feel you really need to be more specific about the key selection criteria so that we can make objective suggestions.

[Ashley James]

Jensen CV8 is a fantastic car with real character and Bentley Turbo
Rs are as cheap as chips and a grin. Both are unique although CV8s
are less expensive to sort out.
T1 Bentleys and Shadows are sluggish, troublesome and handle
dreadfully, even with the handling kit fitted. My Shadow II was a
terminal understeerer, cost me huge sums of money and still broke down
far too often.

If you don't mind going more slowly then a good MKVI Bentley is one of
the greatest of all cars and absolutely astonishing for it's age.
75-80 mph with a 3.4 to 1 axle is an all day cruising speed and
comfort, ride and silence is as good as the better moderns.

As for big rovers, IMO the 3.5L car is a much better drive.

Ashley

[seanmcs]

I had a Mark VI and I thought it was a bit of a tractor. Very heavy.
But I never did much to it.

I always liked the Lancia Bs; but never did buy one. A couple of the
blokes here had one but surprisingly let them go in favour of the
Bristols. So, coming home.

Sean

[spoonera]

There's always euthenasia.