Random # 276: Bristol Coupe

The British Bristol marque is not unknown to me, with several local - but much earlier - examples gracing the pages of this 'blog.  However, I had no idea that they were still a going, albeit niche, concern, as confirmed by the website I discovered whilst researching the car featured in this post (https://bristolcars.co.uk/#home).

As far as I can tell, this particular example is a Blenheim from circa the mid-1990s, and may be a sub-species of the Series 603.  It could be a Brigand, too.  I really don't know.  Either way, it would appear to have been recently imported from the UK, as it's still sporting its English rego plates.  The rear plate even has the name of the local garage ("garrige") where the car was serviced, LW Smart Repairs, DE55 5RQ, which Detective Google has ascertained is in Alfreton, Derby (http://www.lwsmartrepairsltd.co.uk/).

Stylistically, it's an interesting vehicle that for some strange reason put me in mind of a Saab.  It is sort of elegant but perhaps a little slab-sided for my tastes.  One of the articles that I read whilst researching the brand suggested that a Bristol is the vehicle you buy when you want an Aston Martin but feel the need to be a little bit more exclusive.  I get that; all those inky English soccer players, with their pneumatic girlfriends and bling watches, have rendered the later editions of Mr Bond's most famous ride a trifle vulgar.

This particular example was in lovely condition, with blemish-free duco, unmarked chrome and a very clean interior.  The cabin's set off with lots of glass, giving an impression of spaciousness to what's already quite a roomy interior, especially for a coupe.  Tacky it's not!  

The quadruple exhausts suggest that there's a V8 lurking beneath the long bonnet, although I'm not sure of what capacity (seeing I don't actually know for sure what model the car is!).  However, I can confidently assert that whatever donk is fitted, it's a Chrysler, as all Bristols built between 1961 and 2011 have been so equipped.  In this respect, Bristol have gone the same way as Jensen, who used various large Chrysler V8s in their Interceptor and FF models.

Do you know anything about this particular car or Bristols in general?  If so, please feel free to help fill in the gaps by leaving a comment below.  You can also sate your appetite for Bristols by using the search facility - the magnifying glass symbol in the top right of screen - to search for other examples of the marque here on Upper Middle Petrol Head.  

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(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.