1960 Bristol 406

   

1960 Bristol 406
1 of just 174 examples manufactured

Registration No: 2112 WA
Chassis No: 406/5354
MOT: Exempt

  • 1 of just 174 examples of the 406 manufactured
  • Entered from a large private collection
  • Supplied new to industrialist Mr Webster of the Sheffield Twist Drill & Steel Co.
  • Matching numbers example with desirable 110-Series engine
  • Benefitting from some £15,000 worth of improvement in 2017 by marque specialists

At the end of WW2, the Bristol Aeroplane Company found themselves with a surplus of skilled labour and a reduced order book. As a result, the Filton-based business decided to diversify into the prestige car market and, benefitting from the reparations benefit of pre-War BMW designs, were able to quickly develop their own car; in the autumn of 1946, the Bristol Car Division unveiled the 400 saloons powered by a Filton-built, mildly modified version of the BMW 328 engine. The 406 two-door saloon introduced in 1957 was the last of the Filton-engined Bristols, its OHV straight-six pushrod engine fed by triple Solex carburettors having been enlarged to 2216cc to try to compete with the more modern powerpacks offered by Bristol's competition, and now known as the 'Bristol 110 Series'. It was identified by the absence of the then-familiar bonnet scoop of its predecessors and was one of the first saloon cars of its class to feature disc brakes on all four wheels.

One of just 174 examples of the 406 manufactured, this 1960 example was supplied new to an industrialist, Mr Webster, of the Sheffield Twist Drill & Steel Co. Later owned by Sir Mark Goodsen (3rd Baronet) and additionally Peter Lovett of the Dick Lovett Group, the 406 is a matching numbers example, being fitted with the desirable 110-series 2216cc straight-six engine allied to the four-speed manual transmission. Pleasingly retaining the original Sheffield registration number, the 406 is finished in the striking colour combination of Metallic Silver/Grey paintwork deep Red leather interior upholstery trim. The Bristol entered into the vendor's large private collection in 2019.

Benefiting from c.£15,000 worth of improvement with Bristol specialists Spencer Lane-Jones Ltd. in 2017 (totalling some 171 hours labour), the work completed encompassed chassis and bodywork restoration, front suspension overhaul, brake system overhaul, a replacement steering gaiter, dashboard re-veneering, servicing and further fettling. Invited to be displayed at the 2017 Goodwood House GRRC member's day while with the former keeper, ‘2112 WA’ is offered with a history file which contains a small selection of previous invoices and MOTs, a Bristol instruction manual and spares handbook, along with a current V5C document.

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