“BACK ON THE ROAD – Michael Ware visits a recently restored 1953 Bristol 403”
There is a nice report in the September issue of The Automobile on the restoration of Andy Gibbs’ 403. It is well worth reading!
Glove box lock
Glove box locks can be obtained from AH Spares for £88 each but reported to be very good quality
Click Lock to order
Cylinder Head Gaskets for 6 Cylinder Engines
Your first port of call for these is of course Pegasus Parts
Other suppliers are:
- Bristol Cars Services Ltd – contact Graham Payne – services@bristolcars.co.uk – +44 (0)208 5603300 ext 2
- Oliver Penney Engineering Ltd – contact Oliver Penney – info@oliverpenney.com – +44 (0)7867 635993
- Spencer Lane Jones Ltd – contact Peter Campbell – office@spencer-lj.com – +44 (0)1985 847133
- Johnson Gaskets – contact Robert (Bob ) Johnson – +44 (0)1274 682298
- INRacing – info@inracing.co.uk – +44 (0)115 978 0663
Bristol 400 indicator switch lever
Mitchell Motors can supply Bristol 400 indicator switch levers
Contact
Mitchell Motors,
Chicklade, Hindon,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP3 5SS
Telephone: 01747 820223
Email: andrew.mitchell@mitchellmotors.co.uk
401/403 Wooden support frame for rear window
These are now available made to order from Dave Ralls who is based in West Wales. They are being made on a jig produced from an original frame purchased from Bristol cars many years ago.
The original frames were made oversize on their external and internal faces, more so on the latter where there can be significant variations in not only size but shape of the alloy trim finisher which sits inside this frame. There are also variations between cars in the shape and size of the actual external opening in the roof but not as much as there was on the alloy trim finishers, obviously being hand built it is necessary to hand finish the wood frame to the individual car. To make this task a bit easier the frames will be made with the last internal lamination separate from the rest of the frame to be used or not as the case may be. The price of the frames (12/2017) is £110 each plus post and packing, they will be made to order and if you are interested give Dave a ring on 07786 942106 or drop him an email to rallsdc@gmail.com .
Dave also does leather work from repairs to partial re-trims.
(Adapted from a post in the Old Forum)
Dashboards
There are some wonderfully glossy dashboards around on some early Bristol’s but probably few if any came out of the factory like that, the same being true for a lot on other quality cars of that period but they do look rather nice so if that is what you fancy go for it.
If you want a more toned down finish however Antique Oil produces very good results especially if you give it five or six coats applied with a soft cloth, it gives more of a satin finish and is very easy to refresh every few years.
If you want to go the gloss route some of the finishes designed for boats are very durable and easy to apply.
(Adapted from a post in the Old Forum)
Alfin Brake drums
If you wish to improve the brakes on your 400, 401 or 403 by fitting Alfin drums then this company can supply
Typecast Engineering Ltd
Unit 9 Leeside
Merrylees Industrial Estate
Merrylees
Leicestershire
LE9 9FS
T: +44 (0) 1455 822440
F: +44 (0) 1455 822191
E: admin@brakedrum.co.uk
(Adapted from a post in the Old Forum)