1959 BRISTOL 406

Last of the six-cylinder Bristols, the 406 was made between 1958 and 1961 and featured an extremely elegant two-door saloon coachwork which offered four beautifully trimmed armchairs within and lightweight alloy-panels on the outside in typical Bristol fashion. Its design was to set the basic design template for Bristol cars for the next two decades.
Often characterised as fast cars for rich eccentrics, the 400 series were beautifully made and well-appointed luxury GTs that bristled with engineering refinements such as high-revving engines, slick gear changes, accurate rack-and-pinion steering and one-shot chassis lubrication.
For the 406, Bristol's BMW-based Type 110 engine was extensively revised and enlarged from 2.0 to 2.2 litres with a timing chain tensioner. The car also got a self-cancelling overdrive and the replacement of its predecessors' A-bracket rear suspension with a Watt's linkage. Although power remained at 105bhp, flexibility and refinement enhanced significantly, propelling the car to 60mph in just 13 seconds with a top speed of 106mph.
Thoughtful touches included roof mounted indicator repeaters, electric screen washers, flip-up headrests for the front passengers and a radio speaker between the sun visors. At almost £4,500, the 406 was easily the most expensive Bristol yet produced (and three times the price of a comparable Jaguar) so ownership was limited to a privileged few, only 175 examples being produced before it was replaced by the less charismatic V8-engined 407 in 1961.
This example, one of only two originally exported to Australia, was shown at the 1959 Sydney Motor Show. In excellent condition, the torque of the larger 2.2 litre engine and the smooth overdrive make it a relaxing classic car to drive. It is also an elegant car to look at with its traditional two-tone paintwork. The documents folder comes with a driver's handbook and parts manual and much history.
Of the 175 Bristol 406 models made, just 52 are known to survive by the UK Bristol Owners' Club. This is an exceedingly rare and handsome car.