Lot 103
1970 Bristol 411 Series 1 Sports Saloon
Amended
2 December 2017, 14:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street£60,000 - £70,000
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Motor Cars (Europe)
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Shipping (UK)
1970 Bristol 411 Series 1 Sports Saloon
Registration no. YLT 198H
Chassis no. 411-7515
Genuine four-seat luxury and speed
Known ownership history
Circa 77,000 miles from new
Recently serviced by Bristol Cars
Chassis no. 411-7515
Genuine four-seat luxury and speed
Known ownership history
Circa 77,000 miles from new
Recently serviced by Bristol Cars
Footnotes
For the 411, introduced at the 1969 Earls Court Motor Show, Bristol continued with Chrysler V8 engines but specified the 6.3-litre unit that produced 335bhp, an increase of some 85 horsepower over the preceding '5.1'. There was a commensurate improvement in performance. With a maximum speed of 140 mph and a 0-60mph time of 6.9 seconds, the Bristol 411 was hailed by Autosport's John Bolster as 'The fastest true four seat touring car in the world'. Hand built to very high standards, the 411 benefited from its relatively lightweight aluminium bodywork and a low drag coefficient resulting of much time in the wind tunnel at Filton. Company owner Tony Crook's mantra was comfort for four and a huge boot (the spare wheel was housed inside the front wing), while the famously understated appearance of Bristols of this era belies their tremendous performance and excellent handling. The 411 was built in five series from 1969 to 1976, though later cars suffered power reductions as a result of more restrictive emissions equipment. Fewer than 300 Bristol 411s were made, of which around 50 were Series 1 models like that offered here.
This example was supplied by Anthony Crook to Mr John Vlasto on 20th March 1970. Mr Vlasto kept the car until July 1986, by which time it had covered 56,000 miles. It was then purchased by the recent owner's business and later transferred into his name, since when it has covered another 21,000 miles bringing the total to the 77,000 showing today, only 4,000 of which have been covered in the last 20 years.
This car has clearly benefited from very sympathetic ownership and is in superb condition with an almost unmarked interior, upholstered in pale grey leather. Recently checked through and serviced by Bristol cars, it drives superbly, the famously precise Bristol power steering and powerful brakes complementing the effortless performance. The only deviations from standard specification are the wider (6") wheels and tyres (standard on later 411s) giving improved handling; and a Holley carburettor, the latter a well known modification to these Chrysler engines that improves hot starting.
The original jack and tool roll are present, and 'YLT 198H' also comes with a history file containing copy service invoices from Bristol Cars in the name of its first owner; sundry invoices and photographs from the second ownership; an almost complete run of MoT certificates from 1985 onwards; a V5C document; and MoT to November 2019.
Saleroom notices
Please note that the chassis number should read 411-515.