HAYNES DESCRIPTION:

The Bristol Aeroplane Company was Britain’s oldest aircraft manufacturer, foundered in Filton near Bristol in 1910. The company began making cars in 1946 and these were pretty much influenced by the BMW 328. With the introduction of the 403 in 1953, Bristol improved on the 401 the new comer’s apparently unchanged appearance discussing a number of important changes. The engine remained, a BMW based six, but the alloy cylinder was newly developed and helped increase the power from 85-100BHP. This highly praised early version of the Bristol is now becoming very rare indeed and is much sought after by private collectors and museums alike.