1957 Bristol 406E Beutler Coupe

Footnotes

This lot's chassis no. is 406E5002 and the engine no. 100 D2 1082 (as both labelled and correctly stamped on the engine). At the time of cataloguing we incorrectly assumed the Chassis no. and Engine No. were the same '406E5002'. We feel the engine installed is the original engine to chassis, but have no records or registry available to categorically confirm.

"Built by craftsmen to aero-engineering standards of excellence, the Bristol 406 is designed to meet the exacting requirements of the mature enthusiast.

Impeccable handling qualities and high performance have been combined with ample room and luxurious comfort to create one of the world's outstanding motor cars. The Bristol 406 is a car which is built to satisfy the discriminating motorist, and is built to last. It is a car which deserves the best driver." - Bristol Cars Limited.

Last of the six-cylinder Bristols, the 406 was made between 1958 and 1961 only, though the basic steel-framed alloy-panelled superstructure was carried over to its V8-engined 407 successor. Bristol's BMW-based engine was enlarged to 2.2 litres for the 406, gaining in flexibility as a result, while other improvements included servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels (one of the first cars to be so equipped) and self-cancelling overdrive as standard. Only 174 were made.

The Bristol 406 offered here carries stylish coupé coachwork by Carrosserie Beutler of Switzerland. Ernst Beutler learned his trade as a coachbuilder first at Carrosserie Worblaufen, a firm famous among other designs for their body on a 1924 Isotta Fraschini 8AF, which won the coveted 'Best of Show' award at Pebble Beach in 2015. In 1946 Fritz and Ernst Beutler opened their own coachbuilding workshop in Thun, and in 1948 won the contract to body six of the first ten examples of the new Porsche 356. The company had first been associated with Bristol when the latter introduced the 401, presenting a coupé and a convertible at the Geneva Motor Show, they had to compete against international competition: the factory body had been designed by Carrozzeria Touring and Pinin Farina also offered variants. This car, chassis number '5002', was commissioned by Bristol as a prototype and exhibited for the first time in October 1957 at the Earls Court Motor Show in London. However, Bristol opted for a home-grown alternative, choosing a more conservatively styled body built by Jones Bros in Willesden. It is believed that Beutler may have bodied two more Bristol 406s for private customers, and at time of cataloguing it had not been possible to determine which of the potential three such cars this is.

The current owner purchased the Bristol from Heritage Classics Motor Company of Beverley Hills, California on 14th August 2007. Copies of the bill of sale and a photocopy of a California Certificate of Title are on file. Stored since acquisition and in need of recommissioning, this ultra-rare coachbuilt Bristol has the pedigree to be welcomed on any concours lawn.

PHOTO GALLERY

Please note that this vehicle is not offered with any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.


Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Duty, Car Tax and VAT) will apply at roughly 12.5% of the Purchase Price. Included in this is the Swiss Duty which is calculated on the weight of the vehicle and shall be CHF 15 per 100 kg. Also included is Swiss Car Tax at 4% and this is calculated on the total Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss VAT will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium, Swiss Duty and Swiss Car Tax at a rate of 7.7%.
Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.

Saleroom notices

This lot's chassis no. is 406E5002 and the engine no. 100 D2 1082 (as both labelled and correctly stamped on the engine). At the time of cataloguing we incorrectly assumed the Chassis no. and Engine No. were the same '406E5002'. We feel the engine installed is the original engine to chassis, but have no records or registry available to categorically confirm.