Vehicle Description
After helping Britain win the war with their storied aircraft, the
Bristol Aeroplane Company began producing cars in 1947. Already
having a relationship with BMW, Bristol got started by basically
taking a pre-war BMW 328 car design, which they modified over the
years to create desirable motor cars that compete with the likes of
Bentley and Rolls Royce.
Bristols are a rare site anywhere in the world and especially in
the U.S. This 1953 Bristol 403 is one of just six cars Bristol sold
in the states in 1953. Being a left-hand drive Bristol also
increases its rarity. It's been said that no two Bristols are
alike, since they were built to order for the buyer. The 403 was
made from 1953 through 1955 with a total production of about 300
cars.
This Bristol features a 2 liter inline six cylinder with domed
piston and hemi-head construction fed by a trio of Solex carbs. A
four speed manual transmission with freewheel first gear sends 100
horsepower to the rear wheels. An Enot 'one-shot' lubrication
system keeps suspension components lubed.
The hand formed aluminum body was designed by Touring in Italy and
features Superleggera construction (a steel skeleton frame with the
body placed over it).
This Bristol featured rack and pinion steering for great
responsiveness and a tight road-feel. Other advanced features
include 12 volt electrics (positive ground), electric wipers,
oversize Alfin aluminum finned drum brakes at each corner and a
smooth aerodynamic body with flush door buttons and integrated
bumpers.
The interior features a wood dash with a full complement of gauges,
high quality leather seating, ceiling-mounted radio speaker and a
steering wheel with yoke style hand grips.
This Bristol has had over $40,000 of recent work by vintage
specialists including five new Vredestein tires, a complete valve
job and valve adjustment, new fuel pump, starter, engine mounts and
a complete brake system overhaul. The suspension has received new
kingpins, wheel bearings and axle seals along with new leather
gaiters. A host of additional tweaks and corrections have also been
performed.
Included with this car is the original owner's manual, factory
workshop manual, spare keys, an SD card with hundreds of photos
documenting recent work and a binder full of receipts and records
plus correspondence with the Bristol factory from the original
owner.
Gr Auto Gallery, LLC and our sister company, Wheelz Sales and
Leasing Inc. makes every effort to represent each vehicle
accurately and with integrity. We also welcome third party
inspections when necessary. Although we try to do our very best to
be accurate in our description writing we are human and do make
mistakes. Unless noted in our description, we only have one key for
the vehicle. It is the responsibility of the buyer to either
inspect the vehicle personally or via a 3rd party, to ensure
satisfaction to the condition and value, prior to purchase. Unless
otherwise noted, All vehicles are sold AS IS, No Warranty Expressed
or Implied. All sales final. If you want verification on any items
working please ask. GR Auto Gallery and all its affiliates reserve
the right to charge a 3% processing fee on any credit card sales of
over $2,500.
