AT the end of the Seocnd World War aircraft maker Bristol turned some of its capacity to making cars and acquired licences to produce cars that were akin to pre-war BMW products. The ball really started rolling with the 400 which looked very much like a BMW 327 but it had a very British touch to its construction, being superbly built to UK aircraft standards. With independent suspension and first-gear freewheel on the four-speed gearbox it was very advanced but was a little underpowered with its single carburettor BMW 1,971cc six-cylinder engine. Bristol tried a triple carb, but things were not particularly better until the introduction of the 401 in 1948 which represented a definitive change for Bristol. This model made of alloy panels over a tubular frame and its cabriolet version, the 402 were big news in their day with handsome wind-tunnel tested styling. The same engine was used but there was not a particularly big leap in top speed, the model being able to attain 94mph as opposed to the 400's 92mph. Even so, this important new British luxury car began to win friends. It was inspired by the Milanese design house Carrozzeria Touring and an interesting feature was that the door handles were not exposed so to get in the owner pressed a button into a groove in the door. The body was more spacious than the 400 and looked vastly better. Headlights were moved quite a distance into the centre of the body on either side of the narrow grille, which still resembled BMW. I believe that the 401 had a drag coefficient of less than Cd 0.36 — competitive even by today's standards and quite amazing for the time. The engine was the same in-line six-cylinder but was upgraded through improved Solex carburettors upping the power by 5bhp to 85bhp The 401's production figure of 611 was vast for Bristol and the car was a great success. The open-topped 402 is the most coveted of the type with a recent survey revealing that 13 of the 23 produced could still be accounted for. A 401 saloon tested by The Motor in 1952 could accelerate from 0-60mph in 15.1 seconds with a fuel consumption of 20.8mpg. Then followed one of my favourite Bristols, the 403 which was produced between 1953 and 1955. Looking similar to the the 401 it featured many mechanical improvements including bigger valves for the 2.0-litre engine which also featured larger main bearings. Power hit 100bhp and the speedo needle soared to 102-104mph which put this car into the ton-up class. It could also zoom to 60mph in a much more brisk 13.4 seconds. Handling was enhanced with an anti-roll bar and Alfin (aluminium-finned) drum braked were fitted which gave this car a stopping edge over many competitors. In fact Bristol viewed the car as over-braked and the Alfins were later restricted to the front wheels. The 403 may have been the the last Bristol to look like a BMW but as far British sporting luxury cars of the time were concerned it was a real British stunner. | 
