Bristol - Bristol Britannia
The Bristol Britannia was introduced in 1982, the name given to one of the Bristol 603 Series 2 models. The second series of the 603 had smoother lines, a wider grille and lower bonnet line with the 4 headlamp arrangement changed to rectangular lights. The Britannia name harked back to Bristol Aviations Britannia aircraft. Bristol was a small company that used all it's components from outside sources, so many components like door handles, rear lights and so on were vaguely recognizable as being shared with other vehicles. The Bristol Britannia was the standard version of the second series of 603, which had ventilated steel disc wheels.
Bristol Britannia original tyre size was 215/70VR15 . We would recommend the same correct size and speed rated Blockley 215/70VR15 designed specifically for these period cars. Many Classic tyre wholesalers seem to encourage the sale of bigger, fatter and more expensive sizes which are unnecessary. The Bristol Britannia is best on the 215/70VR15 size as it left the factory, which was described in period by journalists as "delightfully precise". As soon as the 215/70VR15 size became available, Bristol chose this over the taller sidewall 205R15 size, for good reason. You may be recommended a non standard 225/70R15 tyre size by some classic tyre wholesalers, but the correct tyre size for a Bristol Britannia as factory fitment is 215/70VR15. See full details of this tyre below:
