Bristol
407

Why it matters

The 407 was the first new model built by Bristol Cars Ltd after it separated from the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1960. It was the first production Bristol with a Chrysler V8, which gave it far more capacity than the earlier two-litre engines while keeping it comparatively economical.

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 407 (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden · CC BY-SA 3.0
• Bristol 407 (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Bristol 407 (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0

History

The 407 looked very like the 406, with no roof-mounted flasher repeaters, twin exhausts and a larger front grille. A one-off Viotti drophead and a Zagato fixed head were built on driven chassis.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Visually close to the 406, but without the roof-mounted flasher repeater lights, and with a larger front grille. The radio aerial sits on the rear of the offside front wing.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Bristol Type 407 Level B UK Bristol Owners Club · 2015-01-09

   • first production Bristol with a Chrysler V8

   Accessed 2026-11-13
2. 2
   Bristol Cars History Level A Bristol Cars Ltd · 2017-09-08

   • 5.2litre Chrysler V8 engine, 250bhp
   • With a 5.2litre Chrysler V8 engine
   • top speeds of 125mph

   Accessed 2026-11-13