Bristol 402

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Bristol
Bristol 402
Bristol 402
402
Production period: 1949-1952
Class : Upper class
Body versions : Cabriolet
Engines: Otto engine :
2.0 liters (62.5 kW)
Length: 4864 mm
Width: 1702 mm
Height: 1450 mm
Wheelbase : 2898 mm
Empty weight :
successor Bristol 405 Drophead
Bristol 402 alongside one of its designers, Syd Lovesey

The Bristol 402 , unofficially also called "Hollywood Special", was a four-seater convertible from the British car manufacturer Bristol Aircraft Company (later: Bristol Cars ), which was based on the Bristol 401 and was produced from 1949 to 1952 in small numbers.

Development history

The development of the Bristol 402 is closely related to that of the 401. The large Coupé 401 was created as a more spacious alternative to the sporty, compact debut model 400 . While the exterior of the Bristol 400, which is strongly based on the BMW 327 Coupé , was only available from the factory with a closed body - as a "saloon" - the 401 was also to be offered in an open version from the start. The development of the 401 and 402 therefore took place in parallel.

From a mechanical point of view, the 402 corresponded completely to the Bristol 401. The chassis, running gear and drive technology were taken over unchanged from the closed 401.

The body, however, was independent. As in the case of the 401, it was also constructed according to the Superleggera principle of Carrozzeria Touring . In terms of style, it was clearly based on the 401. Nevertheless, the 402 was not just a version of the 401 that had no roof structure. Rather, the entire structure of the 402 was redesigned. This is particularly evident from the changed proportions in the area of ​​the bonnet and the rear of the vehicle. In view of the changed structure, the tubular frame that supported the body also had to be completely redesigned. In the construction of the body, Bristol received support from the British specialist company The Abbey Panel & Sheet Metal Co. , which also built at least one prototype.

The Bristol 402 was designed as a four-seater convertible. When open, the fabric roof was folded over the rear seats so that it did not protrude beyond the belt line. This gave the impression of a flowing, boat-like structure. Alternatively, it could be completely removed. Bristol offered a hardtop for the 402 from the factory; however, it was only ordered once.

The Bristol 402 was perceived by the public as an attractive car, however, as everyday life should show, it suffered from a few design flaws. So the large frameless doors tended to warp. More serious was the insufficient strength of the structure and the tendency to shake, which was attributed to the fact that the Superleggera framework was too weak and unable to give the car stability.

The Bristol 402 was not a commercial success. Few vehicles were made. Most sources speak of 20 copies. The Bristol Owners Club assumes 22 vehicles, others put production at 24 or 25 vehicles. However, Bristol received some attention from the fact that actor Stewart Granger and his wife Jean Simmons, who also worked in the film business, each bought a Bristol 402. In view of this, the 402 was given its unofficial name "Hollywood Special". There are currently around ten 402 vehicles.

literature

  • The Bristol Type 401 . Presentation of the Bristol 401 and 402 in: Autocar of November 24, 1948
  • Plane clothes . Driving report of a restored Bristol 402 in Cornwall. In: Classic and Sports Car, issue 12/1987
  • Frank Oleski and Hartmut Lehbrink: Series sports cars. 1983/1993 (Könemann), ISBN 3-89508-000-4 .
  • Dean Bachelor, Chris Poole, Graham Robson: The Big Book of Sports Cars ; Erlangen (Karl Müller Verlag) 1990 (no ISBN)

Web links

Commons : Bristol 402  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ See model history on the Bristol Owners Club website
  2. ↑ See model history on the Bristol Owners Club website
  3. ↑ History of Abbey Panels on the website of the parent company Loades Plc (accessed on October 13, 2019).
  4. ↑ The prototype of the 402, on the other hand, had a massive folding top, borrowed from the BMW 327, which, when folded, was attached above the belt line. See the model history on the Bristol Owners Club website
  5. ↑ The Bristol Type 401. Presentation of the Bristol 401 and 402 in: Autocar from November 24, 1948
  6. ↑ Plane clothes. Classic and Sports Car, issue 12/1987.
  7. ↑ Plane clothes. Classic and Sports Car, issue 12/1987.
  8. ↑ See model history on the Bristol Owners Club website
  9. ↑ Bachelor, Poole, Robson: The great book of sports cars, p. 94.
  10. ↑ Brazendale: Encyclopedia Automobil, p. 67.
Bristol Cars models timeline
Vehicle class Body versions 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0 1 2 3 4th 5 6th 7th 8th 9 0
Upper class limousine 405
Coupé / convertible 400 403
401 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 603 Brigand Blenheim
402 Britannia
Sports car Coupé / convertible / roadster 404 406 Zagato 412 Beaufighter Blenheim Speedster Bullet
Arnolt-Bristol Fighter
race car - 450