Bristol cars in administration...

[st4]

Name them.

If we're talking about range of abilities, what other car offers similar (potential) performance, combined with the ability to cover over 500 miles on a single tank; accommodate drivers up to 6' 7"; hatchback-style luggage capacity (able to take the obligatory pair of golf bags); and city-friendly ground clearance and turning circle.

A Bugatti Veryon if you lose the golf bagage malarky, and also the Brabus range of CLS etc

 

[MOCAŠ]

A Bugatti Veryon if you lose the golf bagage malarky, and also the Brabus range of CLS etc

Veyron comes nowhere close - its range is barely half that of the Fighter, and just try getting it through a London width restriction. Also, to discount the Fighter's luggage capacity is to misunderstand its raison d'être: bringing practicality to the supercar scene.

A Brabus-tuned CLS might be in the running (although it's not really a production model).

 

[st4]

Veyron comes nowhere close - its range is barely half that of the Fighter, and just try getting it through a London width restriction. Also, to discount the Fighter's luggage capacity is to misunderstand its raison d'être: bringing practicality to the supercar scene.

A Brabus-tuned CLS might be in the running (although it's not really a production model).

A BMW M5, Audi RS6, (derestricted) Porsche 911 turbo can come close if you can forgo the extra 25mph above 200mph. Ferraris 612 also can but its a bit limp past 200mph and is knocking on the Bristols price.

The Bentley GT and DB9s are closest, but are a bit limp top speed wise and acceleration is not quite as good, but are a £100,000 cheaper. Most will forgo the extra performance and take the £100,000 and fill up a bit more.

I'd probably say the fighter is a bargain if you need one car that covers so many bases.

 

[MOCAŠ]

A BMW M5, Audi RS6, (derestricted) Porsche 911 turbo can come close if you can forgo the extra 25mph above 200mph. Ferraris 612 also can but its a bit limp past 200mph and is knocking on the Bristols price.

Ah, but derestrict the Fighter and they're talking about a 270mph maximum. Which, to be honest, I'm taking with a pinch of salt until it's been independently tested.

But regardless of whether there are better-built or better-value alternatives available, I think Bristol's claim that "there is still no other car worldwide with such a remarkable range of abilities" stands up. In other words, cars that can get to 60 in 3.5 seconds and then continue on to a speed well in excess of of 200mph are normally somewhat compromised in other areas.

 

[st4]

Ah, but derestrict the Fighter and they're talking about a 270mph maximum. Which, to be honest, I'm taking with a pinch of salt until it's been independently tested.

But regardless of whether there are better-built or better-value alternatives available, I think Bristol's claim that "there is still no other car worldwide with such a remarkable range of abilities" stands up. In other words, cars that can get to 60 in 3.5 seconds and then continue on to a speed well in excess of of 200mph are normally somewhat compromised in other areas.

You are right, it is one hell of a car, and an achievement in its own right and the statement holds true.

However, for about 50% less money you get a GT car that offers 70-80% of the performance. Its the old law of deminishing returns.

I suspect by not trying to market the car more effectively they've shot themselves in the foot. The car is brilliant, its probably one of the cars I'd spend my theoretical lottery win money on (if they'd even let me buy it). But I am a bit of an oddball.

Old money, and its an old money sort of car, is on the decline and its the new money styles/tastes that sadly appeal and dominate the market.

The more I read about Bristol, the more I am saddened they are gone and hope they are taken/bought over.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ah, but derestrict the Fighter and they're talking about a 270mph maximum. Which, to be honest, I'm taking with a pinch of salt until it's been independently tested.

Theoretical maximum speed is 269mph - back in 2008 I calculated it based upon the following:

transmission losses 18%
engine power (at the flywheel) 1012 BHP
engine power (at the wheels) 830 BHP
vehicle track 1.533 m
vehicle height 1.465 m
maximum vehicle cross section 2.02 m*m
vehicle mass (weight) (kg) 1595 kg
air density 1.202 kg/(m*m*m)
drag coefficient 0.27
headwind speed 0 m/s
gradient angle 0 degrees
gradient angle 0 radians
rolling resistance coefficient (tarmac) 0.025

Power, dimensions, drag coeff would have beenl courtesey of Google.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Theoretical maximum speed is 269mph - back in 2008 I calculated it based upon the following:

transmission losses 18%
engine power (at the flywheel) 1012 BHP
engine power (at the wheels) 830 BHP
vehicle track 1.533 m
vehicle height 1.465 m
maximum vehicle cross section 2.02 m*m
vehicle mass (weight) (kg) 1595 kg
air density 1.202 kg/(m*m*m)
drag coefficient 0.27
headwind speed 0 m/s
gradient angle 0 degrees
gradient angle 0 radians
rolling resistance coefficient (tarmac) 0.025

Power, dimensions, drag coeff would have beenl courtesey of Google.

Impressive!

Does the fact that the Fighter T's drag coefficient is 0.225 (as opposed to 0.27) get it any closer to 300mph?

 

[219]

Ah, but derestrict the Fighter and they're talking about a 270mph maximum. Which, to be honest, I'm taking with a pinch of salt until it's been independently tested.

But regardless of whether there are better-built or better-value alternatives available, I think Bristol's claim that "there is still no other car worldwide with such a remarkable range of abilities" stands up. In other words, cars that can get to 60 in 3.5 seconds and then continue on to a speed well in excess of of 200mph are normally somewhat compromised in other areas.

If you discount the obvious advancements in performance that 50 years can bring - an original Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe is probably one of its closest rivals . Both would cost you about the same .

Then there is the modern Mercedes Gullwing .

The absolute performance of such cars is practically unusable , even on the German Autobahns , so little more than academic .

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Impressive!

Does the fact that the Fighter T's drag coefficient is 0.225 (as opposed to 0.27) get it any closer to 300mph?

285mph with Cd=0.225

transmission losses 18%
engine power (at the flywheel) 1012 BHP
engine power (at the wheels) 830 BHP
engine power (at the wheels) 619 kW
vehicle track 1.533 m
vehicle height 1.465 m
maximum vehicle cross section 2.02 m*m
vehicle mass (weight) (kg) 1595 kg
air density 1.202 kg/(m*m*m)
drag coefficient 0.225
headwind speed 0 m/s
gradient angle 0 degrees
gradient angle 0 radians
rolling resistance coefficient (tarmac) 0.025

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

For me, the Bristol Fighter T is possibly the finest, most well rounded motor car fit for the road. I'd take one over a Veyron any day. So much more simple in engineering terms too, which is probably the real reason it's top speed is reigned in so much.

 

[bpsorrel]

I saw a Fighter T at the motor show at Canary Wharf last year and I can honestly say, in real life it looks fantastic! A lottery win car if ever!

Below is the orange Fighter T show car... Awesome eh!

 

[VroomVroom]

Bristol

A Very Sad Day For Bristol

 

[neilrr]

Looks like something designed & built in someone's garden shed to me.

 

[Dieselman]

The panel gaps look a bit wide and the front could have been a bit better styled, but overall it's very competently designed.
All that flush fitting double curvature glass doesn't come from a garden shed, most mainstream manufacturers designers would be very envious of that.
Even Mercedes compromise their aerodynamics so they can use single curvature glass.

I also suspect it looks better in the flesh than in photographs.

 

[verytalldave]

Now this is good........................
Specially for those with a good quality PC sound system............

YouTube - Bristol Fighter HD video & engine sound!

 

[tali]

Has anyone a Bristol "claim to fame"?
Back in the 80s i was shocked to see a newish Bristol 603 reguarly parked at a small office about a mile from where i lived.The car was probably worth 3 houses in the area.
I also found a immaculate 2 litre Bristol badge(i still have it) lying in the road in the rear alley of my house!!- what are the chances of that happening???

 

[Darrell]

"Below is the orange Fighter T show car...

Awesome eh!"

I think it looks like an old kit car rustled up by a couple of beardy-type guys in a shed.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder or words to that effect, but that orange monstrosity is one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen!
I have the same big problem with Porsche; it doesn't matter how good the car is meant to be, if it looks ugly I wouldn't dream of shelling out some of the amounts mentioned on this thread.

 

[Darrell]

Has anyone a Bristol "claim to fame"?

One of my friends father was a big shot in the film set construction game in the 70's and 80's. He was a crazy Irishman with too much dough and too much time on his hands (to pass away the hours in the bar).

He had a Bristol in the early 90's that he rather spectacularly wrapped around the proverbial tree in France whilst he was working on EuroDisney after a rather heavy drinking bout.

He walked away without a scratch and promptly entered the nearest boozer to celebrate his good fortune with some astonished Frenchmen.

A naughty boy for drink driving but a good ad for Bristol cars.

 

[MOCAŠ]

A naughty boy for drink driving but a good ad for Bristol cars.

To quote the legendary Tony Crook (speaking in 2006):

"A Bristol is a very safe car, we've only lost three owners in 60 years and one of them drove off a precipice."