Bristol 405 DHC - 1955

1955 BRISTOL 405 DROPHEAD COUPE

Coachwork by Abbotts of Farnham

Chassis no. 405/ 4510

Engine no. 100B2/ 4217 (replacement – details below)

1, 971cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

3 Solex Downdraft Carburetors

130bhp at 6, 000rpm

4-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive

Front, Independent by Transverse Spring, Rear, Torsion Bar Suspension

Front, Disc Brakes, Rear Drum Brakes

* Factory restored in the early 2000s

* Uprated replacement 405 Bristol B2 engine fitted

This Bristol drophead left the works on July 22, 1955 and was acquired by the current owner from Claude Lewenz, former Bristol registrar for the USA who had taken it in his collection of Bristol's to New Zealand. The beginnings of a restoration included fitting Coopercraft front disc brakes before it was acquired by the current owner in June 2000.

The car was shipped directly from New Zealand to the Bristol factory for a bare metal restoration to its present combination of dark metallic blue and a complete restoration of the interior in grey leather with blue piping, along with re-varnished wood. A replacement engine was sourced from a Bristol 405 saloon, no. 100B2 4217. This had been substantially rebuilt by acknowledged experts, Ian Nuthall Racing, with a skimmed cylinder head, hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel use, sports cam, Cosworth pistons and rings, new pushrods, rebored block, lightened flywheel, and fabricated 6 branch exhaust. These improvements took the output to approx 130bhp, which suits the sport-touring profile of a top-of-the-line convertible. As part of the restoration Bristol cars restamped the chassis plate with the replacement engine number.

After using it in the UK for a few years, it was exported to the USA where it has enjoyed occasional use on the lovely roads of Vermont. After 23+ years in the same ownership, it is time for the next custodian to enjoy it.

More complete engine rebuild details:

The overhaul & rebuild was very comprehensive and listed below are the main items replaced, refurbished and uprated:-

Cylinder head skimmed

New valves with over size stems

Stronger valve springs

Hardened seats for unleaded

Cross rods overhauled

New Sports cam, followers & skew gears

New pushrods

New solid rocker spacers (race type)

New Big & small ends, main bearings & thrust washers

Reground & balanced crankshaft

Cosworth pistons & rings

New Holset engine damper

New timing chain

Special timing chain tensioner fitted

Rebored & refurbished block

Flywheel lightened & balanced

Con rods aligned & balanced

Camshaft line bored

Distributor overhauled

Water pump refurbished

Oil pump fitted with new gears

New clutch with modified thrust bearings

New plugs, leads, rotor, points & condenser

New fabricated 6 branch s/ s manifold & exhaust

SLJ Hackett, Official Heritage Partner of Bristol Cars

Approved by Bristol Cars Group Ltd

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