Description
Look at other projects on offer, not only is this car complete it runs drives and stops and has been taken on a few short shake down runs, It has been stored for over a year now in an air chamber but subject to adequate notice we will get out of storage and into my workshop on a four post lift for inspection , Its running and driving but the shake down runs were done before it went into storage so the car really needs a recommission service and the headlight alignment done before it is pressed into service.
All the hard work on this car has been done but the project was derailed by the Covid restrictions and I got involved with a Range Rover LSE restoration which cost far too much and which has left me with little apatite to spend hours in the workshop now shows and events are back and I have suffered a few joint problems this year so I am cutting back on projects having recently sold another 401 via this website. That was a full restoration project, what it sold for makes this one look ridiculously cheap by comparison.
At current prices it would be impossible to purchase a project car needing full restoration and get it to this stage for the price I will let this car go for. It is being sold as a use and improve project, AS IS and where it is. I am no longer able to do any more work on the car but my mechanic and I will be able to assist with loading .
It has been fitted with a Bristol Cars factory rebuilt 85c engine done by and Eden Holder purchased directly from Bristol Cars just before they went into receivership for the first time. This at the time cost £10500 and has done about 100 miles since the rebuild after it was installed in the car
Original gearbox checked over and fitted with new clutch, also remote change gear lever which I will leave on the car if it makes a fair price.
New pre engaged starter motor, dynamo rebuilt and new control box.
Extensive structural repairs undertaken on the chassis and out riggers etc to address all the usual problem areas 401's & 403's suffer from. About 65 hours spent on this in total alone .
All brake pipes renewed, all wheel and master cylinder replaced and remote reservoir on bulkhead to make checking and top up of fluid easy.
All wiring checked, all good and functional, all bullet connectors replaced, all instruments except clock work.
New control cables for bonnet, fuel filler and underwing air vents.
Enots one shot system checked over and fully functional.
New spring and handbrake gaiters.
New Bentley headlights, new rear lights inc chrome surrounds have been fitted, led bulbs all round inc flashing trafficators , rear lamps have been reconfigured with two stop and tail led bulbs each side to improve safety and discrete led reversing and fog lamps have been fitted.
Wheel have been shot blasted and powder coated in silver, they are the later and better 405 type, fitted with new Vredestein radial tyres, good correct hub caps and badges and some of the body badges are new old stock not reproduction which I purchased in the early 80's.
Head lining is good but needs some work round rear window, a new wood frame for the rear window which this is tacked to is included.
The seats have been retrimmed as have the door cards though the latter have not been refitted pending the repaint.
The car will need new carpets.
The original sun visors are with it but nor fitted.
The side window chrome is original and good, the screen surround not so good, could easily be re chromed or one already done may be available by negotiation. A new screen rubber is included. All door and side window seals are available from BODA.
The bumper blades and over riders will need re chroming but a set of new custom made and chromed over riders may be available by negotiation.
There is an original jack with the car
All door locks work and the often missing Zeni key is with it.
The radiator has been rebuilt new hoses and fan belts fitted.
Winterburn capacitor discharge ignition system fitted.
Very minor repairs to the aluminium around the outer lamps and above the front bumper will be needed unless my engineer pal has time to sort this out . Obviously the remaining paint will be needed to be removed before the car is resprayed and a dent on the bottom of the drivers door seen to as I removed the filler to check the condition of the aluminium which is sound, The car was originally Cambridge grey.
It is on its original registration number has been owned by me since 1976 , it was purchased without its original badly frost damaged engine and has spent all its time since with me in storage up to and after we did all the above work on the car mostly from mid 2015 to late 2018.
Fitted with stainless steel exhaust supplied by Bristol Cars.
Comes with original handbook, bills for most of the parts used, some were acquired over the last 40 years and some of the bills for my mechanic/ welders labour and work done by a local engineer. There is a full photographic record of all the work done on the car which can be viewed at the time of inspection.
For those who may prefer an original style steering wheel one is available but the wood rim and alloy one on the car was on it when it was advertised for sale in Motor Sport in 1968.
Please read the advert carefully as I have received several questions about this car where the relevant details have already been set out above and I will not be able to respond to requests to repeat facts already stated in the advert but I will be happy to answer any questions on anything not covered above.
Sorry but at this price I am not prepared to accept any offers but might consider an exchange for a V8 Bristol.
Viewing can be arranged most days during the week or at weekends and a lift may be available for inspection if its not occupied by another vehicle.
