Topic: Solved - NEH 4441: 1950's-style car based on Bristol 403 (405?) - built in 2004

[Carnut]

What's this, dating from when - for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[Carnut]

Open to Pro's with fewer than 400 points..

[Allan L]

Hard to guess the size of it, so is it a Mark I Sprite underneath?

[Carnut]

Hard to guess the size of it, so is it a Mark I Sprite underneath?

No; I would say it's bigger based on what I know..

[dzima1985]

Bristol 403-based roadster,
it was built in 2004?

[Carnut]

Yes, that's exactly what it is.
It was apparently made as an evocation of a 1950's car using a Bristol 403 as a base.
Well done.

[Allan L]

I really don't understand how this evokes the 1950s more that the quintessentially 1950s car that a Bristol 403 is.

[nicanary]

I really don't understand how this evokes the 1950s more that the quintessentially 1950s car that a Bristol 403 is.

I sympathise. I suppose it evokes a 1950s sports-racing car, especially since so many of those were Bristol-engined. Personally. I would have restored the original car. but  each of us is different.

Interesting to see that the knock-off wheels have been replaced with shiny chrome wires.

[Allan L]

I see DVLA have it as a 1958 Bristol 405, not a 403 which wouldn't be as late as 1958 anyway.

[Carnut]

I see DVLA have it as a 1958 Bristol 405, not a 403 which wouldn't be as late as 1958 anyway.

Thanks; that's more likely to be accurate than the website, although the car is pictured at a Bristol Owners Club meeting at Woburn Abbey in 2004 and I believe was described as a 403 there by its owner.  I think it's far more likely anyone would turn a 405 into this than a 403...

Below is a rear view of the car; incidentally nicanary I note the registration number is different from that in the picture posted by dzima, which I think is a much later picture, so the wheels have been changed from the wires to the pierced knock-offs, rather than the other way around!

[Allan L]

The other registration was for a BRISTOL (BLMC), whatever that is supposed to mean, but DVLA knows nothing at present.