Bristol

bristol
History

A brief history about bristol: The Bristol brand has often been described, sometimes with admiration and sometimes with disbelief, as a modern anomaly. Small in scale yet strong in identity, discreet but enduring, Bristol stands apart from the mainstream automobile world. It remains one of the few companies that truly reflect a distinct British approach to craftsmanship and engineering.

The story began in 1945 when the Bristol Aeroplane Company, known for its aircraft production during World War II, joined forces with AFN Ltd., the makers of Frazer Nash cars. The end of the war left many factories searching for new purpose as the demand for planes and munitions disappeared. Seeking to keep its skilled workforce and facilities in use, Bristol turned its attention to automobiles. Together with the Aldington brothers from AFN, the company established a car division that would soon produce vehicles under the Bristol name.

Leadership changed soon after, when Reginald Verdon-Smith and George Middleton White, both sons of Bristol directors, joined the board. H. J. Aldington, still serving in the British Army, visited the bombed BMW factories in Germany and acquired engine blueprints and technical drawings that would shape Bristol’s first designs. Former BMW engineer Fritz Fiedler was also brought into the team, adding expertise that guided the company’s early engineering direction.

In 1947 Bristol launched its first automobile, the Bristol 400, which clearly reflected its German influence. It combined elements from several BMW models: the 328’s engine and front suspension, the 326’s rear suspension, and even the iconic double-kidney grille. Though rooted in foreign design, the 400 stood out for its precision, craftsmanship, and understated elegance.

For more than a decade Bristol refined its cars before stepping away from BMW’s legacy. In 1961 the company replaced the six-cylinder engines with Chrysler V8s, meeting the need for more power and heavier cars. From that point forward, every Bristol—from the 406 to the Blenheim and the Fighter—was powered by American engines matched with British design and hand-built quality.

Under the ownership of racing driver Tony Crook from 1973 and later businessman Toby Silverton, who became sole owner in 2001, Bristol evolved into a brand defined by individuality. Its cars featured hand-shaped, aircraft-inspired bodies that honored both performance and tradition, built in small numbers for an exclusive clientele.

Even today Bristol remains one of the few automakers that rely entirely on direct relationships with their customers. Each car is handmade, often taking several times longer to produce than mass-market models. With no traditional advertising and only a single showroom in Kensington, London, Bristol continues to embody a philosophy of discretion, authenticity, and devotion to true craftsmanship — a quiet expression of British engineering heritage that refuses to fade.