1959 Bristol 406

This wonderful 406 was purchased in 2002 by the current owner’s father, alongside an Alvis TA21 saloon, and with a TVR 350i convertible given in as part-exchange. The vendor also states that this was a true ‘poster car’ for her father and he had lusted after one since they were new… If that doesn’t tell you all you need to know about the vendor’s father, then we aren’t sure what will!

A serial car collector, engineer and ‘tinkerer’ with a back catalogue of vehicles that reads like a museum exhibit list - and including other Bristol models and unusual vehicles such as the Citroen SM - the vendor’s father sadly passed away a number of years ago, with this 406 passing into her ownership as a result.

Interestingly, it is reported that the car was in the care of the first owner for around 30 years, during which time it was exercised regularly with runs ‘north of the border’ as well as on a weekly jaunt to a high-end restaurant in Bath, where the then-owners had a weekly regular lunch booking. Oh how the other half live!

Driven sparingly but used for car shows and occasional days out by our vendor, this 406 was subject to a light recommissioning in its recent history, addressing a few running issues and other problems, and was always maintained to a high mechanical standard whilst in the care of her father, who loved nothing more than getting hands-on with his collection.

Now, with a lack of space forcing a sale, this family heirloom of a 406 is up for sale, and in need of a dedicated, loving owner who will either use and enjoy it as it sits, or commission a full concours-standard restoration to bring it back to its full and eccentric glory.

Finished in a lovely, classy shade of dark grey and having had a bare metal re-spray in 1994 , this 406 still looks classy and unusual to this day, and is certain to turn knowing heads wherever it goes.

That said, there is, quite clearly, plenty of work to be done in terms of the car’s aesthetic appearances. Whilst there are no signs of any major bubbling or issues beyond the odd minor ‘scab’ on the front wings, the paintwork is no longer up to show standard, and shows typical commensurate wear such as stone chips, light marks and scratches when looking closely.

The chrome trims and bumpers also vary in condition from lightly patina’d to dented and worn, though all of the trims and pieces appear to be present-and-correct, including the all-important badges, shields and emblems on the lower wings. The trims around both the windscreen and rear screen are becoming detached along the top, and require re-bonding.

Looking closely, it is evident that some of the window rubbers are starting to show their age, whilst the windows themselves have some typical light scratches as you’d expect from a vehicle of this era, but no heavy chips, cracks or de-lamination that we could see. The period ‘Oxford Classic Motor Club’ sticker is a lovely touch.

All four of the wheels are useable and in good shape as they sit, but no doubt a refurbishment would be beneficial. All four tyres are still in very condition and match, which is always a good sign of fastidious ownership in our experience.

Inside, this Bristol is a sea of patina, stories and charm, and harbours the kind of potential that is a dream for anyone looking to make their mark on a vehicle. The Bristol Car Company’s aircraft heritage is also clear to see inside, with plenty of unique designs, touches and a very dial-heavy dashboard all displaying their history with pride.

The front seats, particularly the driver’s, display a number of rips and tears in the covers, though the foams themselves seem sound and still hold their shape, whilst the fold-out headrests (a typically Bristol feature) are both fully working and lock correctly. Notably, the vendor’s father was a forward-thinking man, and had aftermarket seatbelts installed to the front seats so he could transport himself and a passenger in safety.

In the rear, the bench seat is in very good condition, with no cracks or damage noted during our photo shoot.

Ahead of the driver, the dashboard is in need of some attention, with several areas of the wood trim cracking, flaking or showing its age, particularly on the outer edges where the dash meets the door and on the lower edge of the windscreen.

Up above, the headlining is in good order throughout, whilst down below the carpets would benefit from a thorough valet and steam cleaning.

In the rear, the boot is clean and presents well, with only the usual light marks and scuffs visible, as you’d expect from a car of this age.

Unusually, the spare wheel and battery/fluid bottles are kept inside the front wings. The spare and wheel brace is present, whilst on the other side the battery appears to be the incorrect size, as it is wedged in using wooden ‘spacers’ and fitting a new, correctly-sized item would be advisable.

The vendor notes that the fuel gauge is currently inoperable, whilst a number of the other dials ‘bounce’ as so many car instrument panels do from this era, though the important gauges such as the temperature and oil pressure gauges are working correctly, as is the auxiliary Kenlowe fan which was fitted to the vehicle, and activated by a small switch just above the driver’s right knee.

Starting with ease (once connected to a jump pack, as the current undersized battery is kaput) and settling into a smooth idle, the BMW-derived engine at the heart of this ‘406’ appears to be in good health, behaving without fault during our shoot and showing a strong oil pressure reading throughout its temperature range.

The vendor reports that since its light fettling and recommissioning works last year, the car runs well and without any known mechanical faults, other than the dead battery. In terms of the electrical systems, there are some intermittent gremlins to be aware of, concerning the indicators, brake lights and reverse lights, along with the aforementioned ‘bouncing’ gauges.

In the engine bay itself, the original engine looks to be in good order with no obvious issues, leaks or untoward noises noted during our photo shoot, though a home detailer would certainly have a field day transforming its appearance.

Underneath, we noted some staining/misting around the bottom end of the engine, but nothing that looked particularly untoward in our view. Of course, we’ve included plenty of underside photographs for your assessment, and these are included towards the end of the gallery below.

By virtue of age, this Bristol is exempt from mandatory MoT examinations, and does not currently have a valid MoT certificate. The most recent exam took place in September 2017, and resulted in a first-time pass with an advisory for slight wear on the steering column top bearing.

Included with this Bristol 406 is enough history to make any documentation-lover hot under the collar. Not only is the documentation extensive and dating right back to the initial purchase of the vehicle(!) but it is also arranged by decade, and constitutes all manner of paperwork from the first purchase invoice, to miscellaneous servicing and maintenance items, which was largely carried out by Bristol Cars from new until around 2011, when the firm was placed into receivership.

The original leather documentation wallet is also present, as is the original registration book and manual - an exceedingly rare item - which records all of the owners. The original Bristol spares/workshop manual is also included, itself a very rare find indeed.

Whilst the older documentation - on exceedingly fragile paper, might we add - is a delight to work through, the more recent invoices and documents are undoubtedly more important to the next owner, and highlights of these are as follows:

- Invoices for light recommissioning works in 2021, at the hands of various companies to the tune of just shy of £1,500

- A radiator re-coring in 2011

- New suspension components in 2011 at a cost of £149

- Invoices from seatbelt fitment in 2006

- New rear axle strap from Bristol in 2016

- A check on both the main and big end bearings in 2012, with no issues found

- Invoice for a new alternator in 2012

- Documentation from the vendor’s father’s purchase of the vehicle