Bristol - Bristol 403
The Bristol 403, built from 1953, looked virtually the same as the previous 401 model, but there were improvements such as the next development of the Bristol 2 litre 100A which, with its various changes, found an increase of nearly 20% more power, giving 100bhp (at 5,000 rpm). This resulted in a top speed of over 100mph, the fastest Bristol so far, helped with by the optional overdrive. On the chassis front the main improvement were the front brake drums being changed from iron the the Alfin type drums, a light weight drum built using a patented method of casting an alloy drum with an iron liner in it.
The Bristol 403 started life with a 5.75x16 cross ply tyre. We would recommend the radial tyre size equivalent which is the 185R16 sityre size. Blockley produces a high speed rated steel belted 185VR16 in a correct period looking tyre, which is what the bulk of Bristol 403 owners fit. See full details of this 185VR16 tyre below:
