Description
This car is Lot 111 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Goodwood Auction on Saturday September 13th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday September 12 from 09:00 until 17:00, Saturday September 13 from 09:00 at The Goodwood Revival.
Lot 111
1953 Bristol 403 Sports Saloon
Registration no. RAE 442
Chassis no. 403/ 1352
Originally a works demonstrator
Known ownership history
Restored by IS Polson for founder Ian Polson
Uprated engine and other sensible upgrades
Immaculate condition
Original Bristol Cars records show that this 403 was originally a works demonstrator, first registered in April 1953. Indeed, it was road tested by Autosport magazine's John Bolster in August 1953. Following the car's time as a demonstrator, Bristol sold it to J Fallon of London in November 1953 (see original sales ledger). The Bristol Cars service records various works carried out over the years, including the fitting of a remote control gear lever in 1954, a notable improvement over the original arrangement and remaining on the car today.
By 1965 1352 was with one M Ripley of Abingdon, who once again had Bristol undertake service work on the car. It then passed through the hands of Messrs Ashbolt and Price before being purchased by Willian Heddon in 1970. Notes on file show that he purchased desirable new-old-stock 405 cylinder block and 406 cylinder head for the car, both supplied by Bristol and remaining on the car today.
1352 was subsequently owned by Bristol-engined Frazer Nash specialist Bill Roberts, who purchased it primarily for the engine, which with the 405 block and 406 head was highly sought after. Fortunately, before he was able to remove the engine, collector Keith Yeo spotted it and purchased it. The car would remain with Keith for many years, complete and running but little used (see images on file).
In 2008 the car was purchased by Talbot restoration specialist, Ian Polson. Ian had admired the 403 since seeing them as a child in Australia, and having known of the Yeo car for many years purchased it as a very original, complete and running but tired example. What followed was a typically meticulous restoration, with the aim of restoring the 403 to its original condition, as in Ians opinion it was the best fast touring car of its era. To this end the car was dispatched to specialist Andrew Mitchell to have the Superleggera bodywork and chassis repaired wherever necessary (see photographs and invoices on file). The bodywork was then given a bare-metal respray by IS Polson, in Ians favourite shade of metallic green. A complete mechanical restoration was undertaken by IS Polson, with assistance from specialists including Spencer Lane Jones, IN Racing and Hawker Racing, with trim by John Foy. Along the way various sensible upgrades were added such as a 405-type overdrive for better high speed cruising; 123 electronic ignition; GPS-driven speedometer; seatbelts front and rear; and a custom-made stainless steel silencer superior to the original. An original toolkit was obtained also.
Completed in 2020, 1352 has proved to be everything Ian thought it would be, offering sporting handling and refined high speed cruising, all with the unmistakable feel of quality regardless of cost, a hallmark of Bristols of the period.
Reluctantly offered for sale, only because Ian is now in his eighties and feels a Vintage light car will fulfil his motoring needs better. Ian believes that 1352' is the best 403 currently on the market and is ready to offer the new owner its unique combination of engineering excellence, sporting motoring and comfort for which the model is famed.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
