Description
Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
Viewing: Tues 28th July from 1pm
Auction 29th July, 2026 12:00
Location: Pavilion Gardens St John's Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE
Registration No: HSG 729Chassis No: 401/ 678MOT: Exempt
1 of just 611 examples
Stripped for restoration by the late owner, but unfortunately never completed
Supplied with the correct-type 85C engine and gearbox plus a large collection of the original parts
Offered with V5C
Introduced in Autumn 1949, the 401 was characterised by its super-smooth, aerodynamic bodywork. Honed in the Bristol Aeroplane Company’s wind tunnel and built using Milanese coachbuilder Touring’s ‘Superleggera’ technique, it boasted a commendably lithe kerb weight (c. 2, 700lbs). Equipped with transverse-leaf independent front suspension and hydraulic drum brakes, the newcomer proved a notably fine handler taking Touring Class wins on both the Cannes and Tulip Rallies during 1951. Powered by a 1971cc OHV straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the elegant sports saloon promised nigh-on 100mph performance. Only in production for four years (by which time a mere 618 are thought to have been made), the model’s exclusive £3, 212 13s 4d price tag was a reflection of the aircraft quality materials used in its construction.
Built in 1950, chassis 401/ 678 is understood to have been first registered as ‘HSG 729’ in the Edinburgh area. Little is known about its formative years; however, the late owner was able to establish from the Northamptonshire County Council vehicle archive that by 1965 it was in the custodianship of a Mr Harris of Daventry. Evidently, the car was admired enough for the following four owners to have been based in Glamorgan, Cardiff and then in London until it was acquired by the late Mr Kane in 1985.
Mr Kane’s daughter (and our vendor) understands that her father purchased the car in a dilapidated state with the intention of performing a complete restoration on it during his retirement. He immediately stripped it to a rolling shell, removed its paint work, removed items from the interior and pulled the engine unit and gearbox. In the following years, invoices show that the chrome trim was sent off to be replated and the interior woods were reconditioned. Unfortunately, Mr Kane passed away during 2024 following a period of illness, and the project was not completed. It is now offered for sale by his family and is thought to be largely complete. It is supplied with its correct-type Bristol 2-Litre engine and gearbox, the aforementioned re-plated brightwork, the refurbished interior woodwork, several boxes of parts in need of restoration, and a modest history file containing invoices for previous work, a Bristol 401 instruction manual, handwritten notes documenting the ownership back to 1965 and the current UK V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
