Makes › Bristol › 402 · Rare production · 1949–1950 Ultra Rare
Bristol
402
Cabriolet version of the 401
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: andreboeni · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 22 Built
- Years
- 1949–1950
- Engine
- 2,000 cc / 2 LFactory: 2 L
- Power
- 63.4 kW / 86.2 PSFactory: 85 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 402 was the first production drophead coupé from Bristol Cars. It was a convertible version of the 401 saloon, built to order in very small numbers between 1949 and 1950, which makes it one of the rarest of the 2-litre Bristols.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Bristol 402 (Wikimedia Commons: Bristol 402)
Photo: andreboeni · CC BY 2.0
Bristol 402 (Wikimedia Commons: Bristol 402)
Photo: andreboeni · CC BY 2.0
Bristol 402 (Wikimedia Commons: Bristol 402)
Photo: andreboeni · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionType 402 drophead coupes produced | 221,2 | Factory production | Disputed |
Sources differ: the Bristol Owners' Club says only 22 were produced, Hagerty UK says 23 examples made.
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Introduced in 1949, the 402 was produced alongside the Type 400 and Type 401, and cars left the factory from 1949 to 1950. Before this model, a few 400 and 401 chassis had been sent to Farina and other coachbuilders such as Beutler to be bodied as dropheads.
One pair was bought by the actor Stewart Granger and his wife Jean Simmons, which is why the type is sometimes called the "Hollywood Special".
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 402.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 2,000 cc / 2 LFactory: 2 L1 Independently researchedPage title: "2 litre Drophead Coupe". |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 63.4 kW / 86.2 PSFactory: 85 hp · converted3 Independently researchedStated for the 401 engine (type 85C, three Solex carburettors); the 402 is the convertible version of the 401. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Open 'A' frame steel chassis4 Independently researchedStated for the Type 401; the 402 has the same body features. |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Superleggera matrix of steel tubes with aluminium panels4 Independently researchedStated for the Type 401 saloon; the 402 shares its body features. |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
The 402 has the same body features as a first-series 401, including the distinctive ridge along the lower edge of the body panels. Instruments and controls are ivory coloured. Prototypes had head-rests on the front seats which were not adopted on the production cars.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Bristol Type 402 - 2 litre Drophead Coupe Level B Bristol Owners' Club
- Only 22 of these cars were produced
- Bristol Type 402 - 2 litre Drophead Coupe
- 2
-
3
Buying a Six-Cylinder Bristol Level B Bristol Owners' Club
- Solex units for the 401 engine (85C), raising the power output from 80 to 85bhp
-
4
Bristol Type 401 - 2 litre Saloon Level B Bristol Owners' Club
- same open A frame steel chassis
- Superleggera matrix of steel tubes; body shell all aluminium
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