Bristol 404 wanted

[Desmo]

Hello,

I am very interested in a Bristol 404. Preferably a not restored, unchanged car from private ownership and matching numbers. I am happy to pay a realistic price for a good, original car. Thank you for any help or advice.

Best regards
Desmo

[Geoff Dowdle]

Desmo ,
as your probably already know there were only 51 404's make in total , and a few of those would have been destroyed or wrecked.
Most have been restored over the years and some possibly twice .
Your chances of getting an unrestored original car is slim, I hope you are a young patient person as it could take 20 years for a suitable 404 to your specification to come up for sale .
Regarding values , I'd imaging you would have to pay around GBP150k to buy any 404 regardless of condition ,and in my opinion undervalued at that price level .
I recommend if you find any 404 within your price range just buy it .

If you get disheartened during your search ,you could always consider buying another type of 6 cylinder Bristol of which more were made and are usually cheaper.

Good Luck in your search.

Geoff Dowdle

[Desmo]

Hello Geoff,

Thank you for your information and your thoughts. Of course I have remain patient. Thank you again.

Best regards
Desmo

[Desmo]

Hello,

Still looking for a nice example. The chance to compare to cars is nearly impossible. So can you give me any advice or support, how I can recognize a genuine 404 to be sure that she is not a fake or a replica car ? Are there any very special points I should note except of a good documented history ? Many thanks for your help.

Desmo

[Geoff Dowdle]

Desmo,
Check the chassis number and engine number .
Take plenty of photos,
depending on location get a Bristol specialist (or an official from one of the Bristol clubs) to inspect the car
These 404's are all well known and the history of most is recorded.
I have not heard of a fake or replica 404 in existence .

Geoff

[Desmo]

Hello,

Is the chassis or car number to find only at the brass car number tag or also on other chassis or body places and is a non matching engine or gearbox car a point not to take a 404 in a closer choice ?
Thank you.

Best regards
Desmo

[Geoff Dowdle]

Have you found a car yet ??
Or is this all theoretical ??
With so few cars made you can not be too fussy .
A few of the 404s have later D2 or 110 engines fitted, some owners treat these as an positive , but others a negative .
Many Bristols of all types have been upgraded with later engines, gearboxes, brakes etc . Sometimes by BCL .
As I mentioned before take photos of the car , chassis and ID plates , ask for history and previous registered numbers and I'm sure the car will be well known.

Good Luck
Geoff

[Desmo]

Hello,

Not really Geoff. Only one not confirmed offer and waiting for details. But I like to be prepered. I do not have any knowlegde about these model and do not find good literature describing these cars.

Desmo