Bristol - Bristol 400
The Bristol 400 was the first of the 2 litre Bristol models produced at Feltham . BMW's 328 push rod overhead valve 1971cc engine was reworked, fitted with downdraught SU carburettors and some other differences which produced 80hp. The 9ft. 6 inch wheelbase chassis was based on the prewar BMW 326 model, so in effect the Bristol 400 was based on what BMW prewar marketed as the 327 / 80 model. The BMW was a very advanced car of it period with independent front suspension with transverse spring as used in many sports and race cars post war (Cooper, AC and so on), rack and pinion steering. The rear axle was controlled by torsion bars and an A frame which joined the center case with a ball, again all BMW design. The Bristol 400 was first shown in 1946 and although expensive sold well, Johnny Lurani using one in Italy on events and so on. The bodywork was good looking but had vestiges of a running board, built on a timber frame in British coachbuilding tradition. Early on John Aldington of Frazer Nash had arranged for some chassis to be bodied in Italy to see what they could magic to bring the bodywork into a more post war modern sophisticated look, but that is another story.
Tyres for the Bristol 400 were quoted as 550x16
