1963 Bristol 408
The Bristol 408 was hand built between 1963 and 1965. At the time of launch at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1963 where it won the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders bodywork prize, it was more expensive than an Aston Martin DB5 or an AC Cobra, and with its powerful Chrysler 5.2-litre V8 engine was faster than a Ferrari 250 GT 2+2 over a standing half mile.
Car number 408-1-001, engine number 949-23439C, chassis number 408-7001 was the first of just 86 units built. This rare and remarkable motor car was featured in the Bristol Workshop Manual; The Motor (25/9/63); Autocar (27/9/63); Cars Illustrated (12/64); the 1964 World Car Catalogue; and as well as being the press car was also the car shown in the Bristol 408 sales brochure. Its original owner was Anthony Crook, who became sole owner of Bristol Cars Limited in 1973, and who had finished third in the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix.
This beautiful motor car has recently completed a world class restoration, and its aluminium body returned to its original two-tone colours of gunmetal and silver grey as shown in period photographs of the time, personally by the multi-ward winning restorer and artisan craftsman, Justin Hills, a recipient of The World’s Most Beautiful Custom, and concours winner at Salon Privé, and The Quail.
Bristol 408 chassis number one has been prepared for modern motoring but still retains the vast majority of its original features including the original radio, and its original English number plates 408 UHU. In superb condition all round this motor car is accompanied by a considerable history file from 1963 to 1966 including the Bristol Car Service Record cards from that time, a copy of the original sales brochure and magazines previously mentioned, and then extensive paperwork covering the last 40 years to the present day including a copy of the book detailing its life ‘Bristol 408’ published by Amberley Books in 2023.
Hand built to aircraft standards this incredible example of a British luxury performance motor car is a rival to anything built by the manufacturers of the time including Bentley, Aston Martin et al, and offers the opportunity to eat up the miles in comfort and style with class and distinction.
$250,000
