The Ultimate Living Dinosaur: Bristol Coupes Built On Same Platform Since 1947

If TTAC were UK based, we’d probably have indulged in a Bristol Appreciation Week instead of Panthers. These remarkable coupes have been built on the same 114″ wheelbase chassis since the first Bristol 400 saw the light of day in 1947. Ok, I haven’t forgotten about Morgan. But the Morgan is a bit more self-conscious in its perpetuality. The Bristol’s styling has evolved a bit, although that seems to have ended in about, say 1978 or so? The NY Times has a nice article pointing out that Bristol sales are up, and never dropped in the current Great Recession. The very affluent who want a “bespoke” coupe hand built in traditional style seem to be able to manage the starting price of 142k pounds sterling. Oh, and there’s a real living breathing dinosaur under the hood too, and it’s American to boot.

Strictly speaking, the Bristol’s underpinnings are even older than 1947 (400 above). Bristol based their entry into the automotive world on pre-war BMWs. The frame came from the 326, and the 2 Litre six from the 328. And the grille gives that away, all too obviously. But fear not, Bristol paid a license to replicate the Bimmers.

But the current Bristol Blenheim can’t hide that obvious thirties configuration: super long hood with almost no front overhang, and rear wheels far forward, as well as a narrow track.

That long front fender hides what used to be carried in the open on classic cars: the spare. Now it’s only on one side; the other has access to the battery and fuse box. Leaves the trunk unencumbered, and with plenty of room for the golf clubs.

Needless to say, the interior is done in the most traditional of English style and taste, with only the finest appointments. And under that long hood: the old Chrysler 5.9 L/360 CID V8, which was replaced by the Hemi years ago hereabouts. Where Bristol gets them new is not disclosed. Maybe they bought a batch of the last ones to be made. At the small rate Bristol builds cars, they might last a while; decades even.

Here’s Robert Farago’s review of a “rebuilt” elderly Blenheim. But if you read it, make sure you also read the comments too, to get a more complete picture of the Blenheim.