Story and History

1955 Bristol 404
Manual with overdrive
Fully restored by marque specialist

We do truly love Bristols. Low volume, high quality and unique. Their cars still today look as outrageous yet refined as they likely did in period!

Aerodynamics are synonymous with Bristols and a good reason as to why they look a little funky, they were the only car designed and manufactured by an aeroplane Company, with aircraft quality in design and manufacture evident throughout. Features like the window inserts on the 404 for example allow the cockpit to remain fresh and wind buffet free at high speeds. The lovely fins at the rear providing a lovely line and stability at high speeds…No wonder it was referred to as the 'Gentlemans Express'

This lovely motorcar, number 31 of the 52 examples made, was produced on the 25th April 1955 and first registered to Mr. C H Sherwood in 1960. He ran her for several years, when then the car was sent back to the factory and the engine replaced from 100B/3538 to the current block 100A/3134, with overdrive fitted and disc brakes. A year later, the second owner Mr. J Howden-Richards then took over.

In 1980, Mr. Howden-Richards offered the car for sale in 'The Automobile' in 1980 and the car was swiftly purchased by the third owner for £5.500! After many a years of enjoyment, she was sourced in 2001 by TT Workshops - an authority with Bristols - and completely restored for Mr. Charles Trevelyan who owned the car until this year (2021).

Such a traceable, and lovely story. When sourcing the car TT Workshops mentioned that the car was in very good condition indeed, but still Mr. Charles Trevelyan decided to undertake a thorough and complete restoration. When the restoration was carried out, TT Workshops were likely the best in the world for Bristols, and other related marques.

Every step in the restoration was meticulously recorded and invoiced, totalling £89,937 then! (Nearer £130.000 now). Such was the restoration that in 2003 chassis 2031 achieved 1,158 points from a possible 2,000 at the BOC's annual Concours d'Elegance. Finishing only 9 points behind Parr's famous Arnolt Bristol. A worthy second place!

As is the case with supreme cars like this, a magazine feature is not unusual and this car has just that. In the 2008 December edition of 'The Automobile'.

Moreover, in 1978 chassis 2031 graced the cover of the 'Bulletin' having won the Filton Trophy in the clubs annual Concours. It should be mentioned that throughout the cars life all owners have been BOC members, demonstrating their commitment to the marque.

Recently she has been subject to a full rebuild of the 'one-shot' lubrication system, by Project Workshops whilst they also carried out a full service. In 2021 Brazell Engineering completed a full tune of the car including rebuilding the carburettors. After tuning and sorting the carbs, proprietor Dave Brazell who is entrusted with some of the most valuable cars, said “I can completely see what all the fuss is about, and why they are seldom sold by their owners”

One to certainly see - tip top and with her tool kit, spare wheel and owners handbook in the very large history file. Every automotive connoisseur understands them, and every great collection probably has one