Bristol 406 Zagato

The BRISTOL ZAGATO GRAND TOURING MODEL is designed to cater for those who desire an even faster car than the standard type 406 saloon. The BRISTOL ZAGATO is lighter and smaller with a tuned version of the 406 Bristol engine.

The lightweight two-door coachwork has been built to the requirements of Anthony Crook Motors Limited by Zagato of Milan, Italy, who have been famous coachbuilders for half a century mainly in the field of high performance cars. The emphasis has been placed on providing extra speed without impairing reliability or flexibility and whilst still retaining reasonable rear seat accommodation a feature normally lacking in Grand Touring saloons.

Abridged Specification

Engine:

- Six cylinders

- Bore 68•69 mm (2•70 in) and stroke 99•64 mm (3•92 in)

- Cubic capacity 2, 216 cc (135 cu in)

- Compression ratio 9 : 1

- High lift sports camshaft

- 130 bhp at 5, 750 rpm

- Overhead valves in hemispherical combustion chambers

- Crankshaft statically and dynamically balanced, running in four main bearings

- Forged light alloy pistons

- Brivadium alloy steel dry cylinder liners

- Three Solex down draft carburettors

- Vokes full flow oil filter

- AC mechanical fuel pump

- Impeller water pump

- Lucas 12-volt coil ignition

- Abarth exhaust and silencing system with twin pipes

Transmission:

- 8 in diameter Borg and Beck dry plate clutch with Bristol anti-slip device

- Five forward speeds provided by four forward speeds in synchromesh gear box with free wheel on first speed and overdrive on top gear.

- Central gear change on floor

- Ratios 3•32, 4•27, 5•52, 7•79 and 15•42 : 1. Reverse 12•34 : 1.

Brakes:

Dunlop hydraulic calipers operating on 11 1/ 4 in diameter discs on all four wheels, self-adjusting and servo-assisted, with satisfactory operation when engine stalled.

Suspension:

- Front: independent by transverse leaf spring and wishbones with anti-roll bar and telescopic hydraulic dampers

- Rear: beam axle with torsion bar springs and telescopic hydraulic dampers. Axle location by Watt linkage.

Steering:

Bristol rack and pinion. Column adjustable for reach.

Wheels:

Pressed steel wheels with wide base rims. Tyre size 5•75 × 16. Spare wheel housed in near side front wing.

Jacking System:

Portable Bevelift screw jack applied centrally at fittings on either side of the car.

Chassis Lubrication:

One shot, foot operated.

Fuel System:

Rear mounted tank. Capacity 18 Imp gallons (82 litres), including 2 gallons (9 litres) reserve.

Electrical System:

Lucas 12-volt system. 51 amp/ hr battery. Standard electrical equipment includes courtesy lights, dual two-speed self-parking windscreen wipers, heater/ demister, reversing light operated by gear lever, map reading light, twin horns, interior and indicator lights.

Radio:

HMV radio equipment recommended and can be supplied as an extra.

Instrument Panel:

4 in (10, 16 cm) speedometer and tachometer, oil and water temperature gauges, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, ammeter, clock, headlamps, ignition and reserve fuel. Overdrive control switch convenient to the driver's hand. Continental wood-rimmed steering wheel.

Dimensions:

- Wheel base 9 ft 6 in

- Track:

- Front 4 ft 5 in

- Rear 4 ft 8 in

- Overall length 15 ft 5 in

- Overall width 5 ft 3 in

- Overall height 4 ft 7 in

- Ground clearance 6 1/ 2 in

- Turning circle: 37 ft 6 in

- Weight: 21 3/ 4 cwt

- Fuel consumption: 20 mpg

SLJ Hackett, Official Heritage Partner of Bristol Cars

Approved by Bristol Cars Group Ltd

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