1968 Bristol 410 Sports Saloon

• One of only 79 made
• Automatic transmission
• Long-term specialist maintenance
• Present ownership since 2019
• Desirable original colour combination
• Kept garaged and used sparingly

First seen in 1961 as the 407, the Bristol V8 chassis was updated and the styling revised periodically throughout the 1960s, culminating in the 411 of 1969. In the meantime, Bristol had managed to sell only 88 407s, 83 408s, and 74 of the 409. The 408 had been comprehensively restyled, with a wide grille incorporating quadruple headlamps replacing the aircraft-type air intake of the earlier car, as well as a lower stance. Almost identical to the 408 externally, the 409 (introduced in 1965) boasted a slightly larger (5,211cc) engine, Girling brakes instead of Dunlop and, on later cars, power assisted steering.

The 410 likewise differed little in appearance from its predecessor. The 5.2-litre Chrysler V8 was retained while the TorqueFlite automatic transmission now boasted a conventional floor-mounted gear selector instead of the previous push-button type. Upgrades to the running gear included 15" wheels (down from 16") and dual-circuit brakes. Only 79 examples of the 410 were produced between 1968 and 1969.

"Built for those who can afford - and appreciate - the best," the Bristol was one of the select few hand-assembled British luxury cars, and one whose roots in the aircraft industry mean that its manufacturing standards were exceptionally high. Such attention to detail gives the Bristol a very special cachet indeed.

An outstanding example of the model, this rare British classic has had eight owners including the current vendor, who purchased the Bristol in September 2019. Original and unrestored, the 410 had previously been owned by the proprietor of the Warminster Bristol dealership and was maintained in house by their trained specialists for many years. Since acquisition by our vendor the car has been kept dry-garaged and used sparingly. It is described by him as starting and running beautifully, providing the 'silent speed' and effortless torque for which these Bristols are renowned. The car is finished in the elegant colour combination of Silver with Red interior, and is said to present in very good condition throughout, with believed period-correct interior. The sympathetic provision of a modern radio is the only notified deviation from factory specification.

The car is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate and its original instruction manual, a hard-to-find spare parts handbook, and a Bristol tool kit. Displaying a total of just under 100,000 miles on the odometer, '7449' represents a rare opportunity to acquire a 'sorted' and well maintained example of one of the most exclusive British motor cars of the 20th Century.