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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  27 Nov 2016 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  43
• Lot Description:
  1949 BRISTOL 400 SPORTS SALOON
  The 264th made of a mere 421 built. Chassis no: 400/1/637; Engine no: 400/85/1118; Car Number: 400/A/364
• Notes:
  The Bristol Aeroplane Company of Filton, Bristol procured the rights to BMWs automotive designs as part of the reparations made by Germany at the end of WW2. And thus, the Bristol 400, which commenced production in 1947, was the fusion of three pre-war BMW designs. The chassis was derived from the 326; an engine from the 328 sports and the handcrafted body has similarities to the 327 coupe. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but the Bristol 400 is a more refined luxury car. It was the very first automotive product from the Bristol Aeroplane Company-later to become Bristol Cars Ltd. The aerodynamically designed Bristol 400 body-work is made with steel panels over a wooden frame and the doors, bonnet and boot-lid are skinned with aluminium. Surprisingly lighter than all the later alloy bodied Bristol cars. The car features an unusual opening rear window introduced part way through its production run. The 2 litre overhead valve straight 6-cylinder engine was considered technically futuristic due to its hemispherical combustion chambers developing 80hp at 4,500rpm with a top speed of around 148 km/h (92 mph). In addition to the 400's beauty and sophistication the most significant advancements from the BMW DNA was Bristol's use of the highest quality metallurgical materials contributing to a longer engine life. This power-plant ultimately compared favourably in road comparisons irrespective of engine size. International competition successes abounded including in 1949, being the first British car to finish the Monte Carlo Rally, the same car then maintaining an average of 92.08 mph over the 100 km at Montlhély straight afterwards! We are informed by the Bristol Owners Club of Australia that the production of this car was completed by Bristol Cars, Filton, on 21st March, 1949 and despatched to the Australian Bristol agent, Commonwealth Motors of Melbourne, on 29th March 1949. It was first registered on 27th June 1949 as "NJ860". It is recorded as being fitted with 4 blinds and a JII/38693 wireless. The factory livery was Metallic Blue with a beige leather interior. First owned by Mr. Patrick W. McGill, of McGill's Bus Services, Benalla, the car was resprayed Hawthorn Green to compliment the colour of the bus fleet. It was inherited within the family in 1955 and resprayed the Holden colour of Pandour red. There were three ownership changes in country Victoria before being restored and resprayed Light Metallic Green by Roger Cleeland of Echuca, in 1965. It changed hands again in 1968 where it may have encountered front end damage. In 1972, Mr. Bill Martin of Adelaide bought this car ex-Bolwell cars of Moorabbin and attended to a blown head gasket; a line-bore engine rebuild and refitted Holden bearings also exchanging the single Solex Carburettor with a set of Triple Solex and re-upholstered the interior and repainted it Olive Green . By 1976/7 it was purchased by Mrs. Isabel Burrows of Granton. In 1982, in the ownership of Robert Hannah it was stored in Yass. In 1984, it was registered in SA to Mr. John Murray before being acquired by the York Museum of Western Australia sometime after 1984 (transaction not recorded) In 1989, Mr Ray Finkelstein of Melbourne bought the car and attended to a comprehensive check and assessment of the engine compression, carburettors, timing and handbrake units and a thorough servicing carried out by R.A. McDermott and Co of Melbourne, in 1992. The car was upgraded with Telescopic shock absorbers front and rear, Arnolt Bristol Sway Bar, 401 road wheels and brake booster. He sold the Bristol to the current owner in 2002. In this ownership, extensive works have been undertaken and include: the removal of the bumper bars and over riders and a back to bare metal restoration; timber frame work replaced where necessary; electrical system renewed; starter motor rebuilt; a new water pump installed; all new filters and oils; restored and renewed radiator including a new cap and hoses; the top end of the engine has been overhauled and the triple Solex carburettors reconditioned. This beautiful car is now resplendent in silver with a striking red leather interior refit and trim by Gary Blackman, of Melbourne. The car is accompanied by its original bumper bars and over-riders and the original JII/38693 wireless. Manufactured from 1947-1950 this superbly designed and sort after collectors' car is considered by many as the most desirable example of this significant British marque with all its post-war underpinnings and history. There were a mere 421 units produced. With a detailed account of its ownership with the Bristol Owners Club of Australia and an interesting provenance Chassis 400/1/ 364 is well documented. Ninety-four of the 421 400's produced were sold new into Australia but there are currently only 59 of these still in the country. The others have been either wrecked or exported. Some notable Australians were first owners of Bristol 400's including Sir Tom Barr-Smith, Warwick Fairfax, Mick Grace, Kym Bonython, WH (Bill) Lowe and Frank Pratt. This vehicle will be sold unregistered
• Estimate:
  A$75,000 - 95,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.