#bristol

Bristol Cars was a British manufacturer of hand-built luxury automobiles headquartered in Bristol, England, renowned for its craftsmanship, exclusivity, and engineering sophistication. The company originated in 1945, when the Bristol Aeroplane Company—famed for its wartime aircraft—established a Car Division to diversify its postwar production. Drawing heavily on pre-war BMW designs acquired as part of war reparations, Bristol developed its first model, the 400, based on the BMW 326 chassis and powered by a version of the BMW 328’s six-cylinder engine. This technical lineage gave Bristol its reputation for refined engineering and performance. In 1947 the division became Bristol Cars Limited, operating independently from the parent aerospace firm. Through the 1950s and 1960s, Bristol maintained a unique position in the market, producing low-volume, high-quality touring cars that combined understated design with exceptional build standards. The marque was closely linked to AFN Ltd., the company behind Frazer Nash, which shared both technical resources and engines during the early postwar years. Despite never producing in large numbers, Bristol earned a loyal following among connoisseurs and professional drivers, known for its meticulous construction and discreet luxury. Financial challenges and changes in ownership marked the later years of the company. After a series of management and ownership transitions, Bristol Cars went into receivership and was taken over in 2011. The brand ultimately entered liquidation in February 2020, bringing to an end more than seven decades of continuous production. Today, Bristol remains celebrated for its blend of aeronautical precision, traditional British craftsmanship, and quiet exclusivity—a marque that embodied the spirit of the true gentleman’s grand tourer.

We'll tell the story of this company on the occasion of its anniversary or when it will reach a sufficient number of cars.

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