COACHBUILT BRISTOLS
are a particularly rare breed, with just 38 rolling chassis delivered to various companies for bespoke bodywork, most notably Touring, Langenthal, Vanden Plas, Beutler, Ghia-Aigle and Pinin Farina. This beautiful 401 is one of somewhere between eight and ten such cars bodied by Farina.
Leaving the factory on 9 August 1949, this example was bodied in the company’s usual cabriolet style – very similar to post-war Alfa Romeo and Lancia models. Originally registered to AFN Ltd, the supplying dealership, it was fitted with a replacement engine at 2246km, before being sold to Lord Jersey. Promptly shipped to the island of Jersey, it returned to the mainland in 1955. By 1968 it found its way into the hands of Roger Pearce Harvey, who ran the car until 1989, when it was sent to TT Workshops for a full restoration. It was sold in 2011, at which point the restoration was completed to a high standard. Amazingly, the original engine was found in Switzerland, so it was reunited with the car before being offered for sale once again through Bristol Cars. The current owner, who bought it in 2014, set about further improving the car, rebuilding the original engine to Mitchell Motors’ ‘fast road’ specification – allowing an 85mph cruising speed. On offer from Ranmore, it’s ready for more long-distance, high-speed touring. ranmorefmc.co.uk