1955 BRISTOL 405 DROPHEAD COUPE



Coachwork by Abbotts of Farnham



Chassis no. 405/ 4510
Engine no. 100B2/ 4217 (replacement – details below)



1, 971cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 Solex Downdraft Carburetors
130bhp at 6, 000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Front, Independent by Transverse Spring, Rear, Torsion Bar Suspension

Front, Disc Brakes, Rear Drum Brakes

* Factory restored in the early 2000s

* Uprated replacement 405 Bristol B2 engine fitted



This Bristol drophead left the works on July 22, 1955 and was acquired by the current owner from Claude Lewenz, former Bristol registrar for the USA who had taken it in his collection of Bristol's to New Zealand. The beginnings of a restoration included fitting Coopercraft front disc brakes before it was acquired by the current owner in June 2000.



The car was shipped directly from New Zealand to the Bristol factory for a bare metal restoration to its present combination of dark metallic blue and a complete restoration of the interior in grey leather with blue piping, along with re-varnished wood. A replacement engine was sourced from a Bristol 405 saloon, no. 100B2 4217. This had been substantially rebuilt by acknowledged experts, Ian Nuthall Racing, with a skimmed cylinder head, hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel use, sports cam, Cosworth pistons and rings, new pushrods, rebored block, lightened flywheel, and fabricated 6 branch exhaust. These improvements took the output to approx 130bhp, which suits the sport-touring profile of a top-of-the-line convertible. As part of the restoration Bristol cars restamped the chassis plate with the replacement engine number.


After using it in the UK for a few years, it was exported to the USA where it has enjoyed occasional use on the lovely roads of Vermont. After 23+ years in the same ownership, it is time for the next custodian to enjoy it.

More complete engine rebuild details:

The overhaul & rebuild was very comprehensive and listed below are the main items replaced, refurbished and uprated:-



Cylinder head skimmed
New valves with over size stems            
Stronger valve springs
Hardened seats for unleaded
Cross rods overhauled
New Sports cam, followers & skew gears
New pushrods
New solid rocker spacers (race type)
New Big & small ends, main bearings & thrust washers
Reground & balanced crankshaft
Cosworth pistons & rings
New Holset engine damper
New timing chain
Special timing chain tensioner fitted
Rebored & refurbished block
Flywheel lightened & balanced
Con rods aligned & balanced
Camshaft line bored
Distributor overhauled
Water pump refurbished
Oil pump fitted with new gears
New clutch with modified thrust bearings
New plugs, leads, rotor, points & condenser
New fabricated 6 branch s/ s manifold & exhaust


For further details and to arrange viewings

Contact SLJ Hackett

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Office: the details below

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