Makes › Bristol › 408 · Rare production · 1963–1966
Bristol
408
Roughly 80 built (some sources 280).
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1963–1966
- Engine
- 5,130 cc / 5.1 LFactory: 5,130 cc
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- 196 km/hFactory: 122 mph · converted
- 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 408 was a two-door, four-seat saloon, mechanically identical to the 407 with the same Chrysler V8 and automatic transmission. It introduced a new outward look with a rectangular grille and rectangular indicator lamps.
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 408 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bristol 408 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Charles01 · Public domain
Bristol 408 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 4.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
No production figures recorded yet.
History
The 408 was introduced in 1963 in two series, unusually for Bristol. The second series, the 408 Mark 2, arrived in 1965 with a 318 cu in (5211cc) engine and a new cast alloy gearbox that was lighter than the steel one it replaced. Production ended in 1966.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 408.
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 | 5,130 cc / 5.1 LFactory: 5,130 cc1 Registry reportedStandard engine of the first series. The Mark 2 (1965-66) had 318 cu in / 5211 cc per the same source. |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | 9:11 Registry reported |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| 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 | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| 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 | 196 km/hFactory: 122 mph · converted2The club's spec table gives 122 without a unit; the marque's history gives 122mph+. |
|---|---|
| 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 body is easily told apart from the 407 by a flat panel carrying the headlamps. Two-tone paint was standard, with tramline trims on the flanks and Pegasus badges moved up to side-moulding level. The dash carries an Armstrong Selectaride rotary dial for the rear shock absorbers.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Bristol Type 408 Saloon Level B UK Bristol Owners Club · 2015-01-09
- The standard engine is 313cu.in. or 5130cc.
- Compression | 9:1
-
2
Bristol Cars History Level A Bristol Cars Ltd · 2017-09-08
- Its top speed was 122mph+
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