This Incredible 1955 Bristol 404 Is The British 300SL That Time Forgot

Today, courtesy of SLJ Hackett I get to take out this gorgeous 1955 Bristol 404. A road racer of the day, the Bristol was so expensive just 40 were ever made. Today, this one is worth £190,000 - a fraction of a 300SL or Ferrari 250 - so how does it drive?
#Bristolcars #BMW
Want to see your car on the channel? Email me on [e-mail]
**********OUR CHANNEL PARTNERS**********
Dodo Juice - Award Winning Detailing Products
Get 10% off Dodo Juice's British Made Detailing Products with code: JAYEMM10
Shop at www.dodojuice.net
RoadStr
The App for Car People and Car Meets
RoadStr.io/invite
CarVertical
The History Checking Service - Use This Link for A Discount!
www.carvertical.com/gb/landin...
CRG Diagnostics
The experts in ADAS recalibration
collisionrepairgroup.com/
FIRE SAFETY STICK
The World's Lightest and Most Compact Fire Extinguisher
firesafetystick.com/
***********************************************************************************
Want More JayEmm? Become a channel member for access to exclusive content!
/ @jayemmoncars

[@bigal3055]

There's only one thing better than a Bristol...a pair of Bristols.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Ooooh matron....

[@tastypymp1287]

Yakyakyakyakyakyak!!

[@shanehnorman]

As our 'Enery (Cooper) once said, when asked about his ideal wife: "She should be a good mate - like a bloke wiv bristols".

[@georgec2126]

I suppose JM had that coming...😁

[@peterb3842]

😂😂😂

[@adrianchell]

The sticky-out arms are "trafficators" and were commonplace on older cars.

[@zedfender9423]

Semaphore...

[@sirmurf]

My earliest car memories are of a beetle with semaphore indicators that didn’t work.

[@zedfender9423]

@@sirmurfi bet cyclists would love them..

[@alastairblair]

Came here to be that smart arse, damn you beat me. Definitely not called semaphores in the UK and it is after all a British car.

[@zedfender9423]

@@alastairblair my dad always called them semaphores. Never heard them called trafficators. Probably a patent thing. Like vacuum cleaner or hover.

[@grayfool]

Bristol has to be the most underated British car manufacturer. Fascinating engineering, fabulous, if slightly odd, looks, and very exclusive. If you know, you know.

[@richardharrold9736]

They were until the early 1970s, despite the archaic chassis. After that, they went badly downhill. Crap build quality, chassis still stuck in the 1930s...

[@saxon-mt5by]

If you fancy a Bristol like this, but can't afford £200k, then try a 401 or 403 at 20% of the price. They're a bit bigger and heavier being a full 4-seater, but the mechanicals are identical and you'll enjoy it just as much.

[@ChristianHiroseRomeoGraham]

There are many British/European cars that I didn't realize exist, until stumbling upon Jay's videos.

[@DjDolHaus86]

There were a huge amount of small car companies in the UK between the 1920s-1980s, generally they made low volumes of sports cars or luxury cars out of small workshops. Most of these companies got swallowed by corporations like British Leyland and GMC and the names were retired

[@davidpliskin1137]

That double drive-by was pure bliss

[@eldontyrell4361]

JayEmm do some more Bristol cars!!! I love Bristol, including a lot of the slightly later ones.

[@davidcooper5442]

he has done the Fighter a few months ago.

[@TheChukklebunny]

Oh Jay, you’re showing your youth! Those are semaphore indicators, usually operated by a thump on the B pillar. (But I think you knew that 😉)

[@richard-rs8dw]

Those drive-by shots...bright red Bristol, blue skies, rolling hills, a twisty road...if there's an English Car Heaven, it probably looks a lot like this...

[@Carrera-gp9od]

Always been fascinated by Bristol , I can’t believe how good that one sounds 👍🏻

[@tastypymp1287]

I've always been fascinated by Bristols as well.

[@Carrera-gp9od]

@@tastypymp1287 😂😂

[@AxLWake]

Straight six engines tend to sound very nice. This definitely does as well.

[@charlesmoss8119]

I confess I have never ‘got’ Bristol but my late father adored them - seeing this car which would have been perhaps the first models he would have seen I suddenly get it- a beautiful machine

[@ozeskiman]

Always loved the ealy Bristol's. As Jay says, they were a true rival for the Ferrari/Aston of the day. An incredible car for their time and if you owned a country pile and had a title, ownership was almost obligatory. So very cool today. I followed one a few weeks back in Melbourne. Didn't know they were so rare.

[@KEITHTARA]

With Bristol, there are lots to choose from. They made two cars with a slightly longer chassis, based on the 406 with the 2.2 litre engine. One was bodied by Zagato and the other by Bristol. If there really was a 'what if' Bristol, it is the 407 by Zagato. Now if you could bag a drive in that.........

[@grandbouche]

Re: getting in and out. It can be awkward. The steering wheel has three positions on the column so could be moved away from the seat towards the dash a bit more. Also the idea is to slide the seat back to get in/out - there is a pre-setting for how far forward you want it so you don't need to re-adjust it each time. They were also set up for the customer, so you might find the seat has been raised using wooden spacers under the seat mounting rails as that is the only way to adjust the height.

[@henryhol8538]

I have always been intreged by these. The late Car journalist LKJ Setright was a great admirer of the Bristols. In my opinion this model looks the best out of all their cars.

[@alexlosy5]

I used to dislike the waffle on this channel but you have fast become the most informative, dynamic and enjoyable channel which I greatly respect. Well done James.

[@michealofloinn2539]

As an Irishman I’m delighted to see such a great review of this Bristol car and looking forward to seeing your next one. Great work Jay.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Michael!

[@nagaraworkshop]

Older community person here 🙂 ! The trafficators (Not a parking aid) are definitely indicators. I had them on my Morris Minor and was forever replacing them (in those days you could buy new ones) because curious kids would idly pat them from the pavement if one was turning left slowly in a town in traffic and cyclists would bash into them too. The trafficators have bulbs inside them that flash. I added normal indicators to my Minor on the same circuit so the trafficators worked as well. I imagine the owner of the Bristol put in a separate circuit to save the now hard to get lovely plastic orange arms. Great video!.

[@juliankent8875]

Fantastic video James. My dad loved his series 2 411. The very rare 404 always reminded me of a DB2. Keep the videos coming 👍👍

[@PETERNESS]

this presenter is a total proffesional ,no errs or uhmms just the best speaking voice ,10/10

[@SubTroppo]

"...storage for a pen". I'm sold!

[@jonathangillbanks3891]

“Heroic” is the only way one can describe the sound of this - like a WWII warplane taking off, its epic. Thanks James, I totally get your affliction for this very special piece of automotive history :)

[@promerops]

You can understand why LJK Setright was so enthusiastic about the six-cylinder Bristols.

[@markdschedler]

Jay, you introduce me to more fun and interesting cars and information than all but a couple other sites. Thank you.

[@martinclapton2724]

One of the motoring hacks of yesteryear, whose articles I always looked forward to in CAR magazine , was LJK Setright. He could disect a car with its movement of controls to such a degree , and likewise criticise them accordingly, that motor manufacturers feared him. His driving antics , particularly his speed was legendary, so other motoring correspondents also feared him! Well one of his favourite marques was of course , Bristol.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Along with Honda and Citroen if memory serves

[@Calilasseia]

Oh good grief, the mention of that name brings back some fun memories. Didn't he do a side by side test for Car magazine, of the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach QV?

[@Calilasseia]

@@JayEmmOnCars ... and since you mentioned Citroen, you simply *have* to devote some time to the ill-fated but very interesting Citroen-Maserati SM. I suspect you'll enjoy finding out how ... *individual* that car is. :)

[@martinclapton2724]

@@JayEmmOnCars Another was Fiat. You should read his road tests on their cars from late 1960s and the 1970s . Best handling car of the 1960s ? Lotus , Ferrari , nah! How about the Fiat 124 AC (1st series) 1438cc coupe. Or cornering a Fiat X19 1500 as fast as a Lamborghini Urracco , but in the Fiat - it was in the wet! Yep, his readings were really eye opening to say the least! . Absolutely rousing stuff. Like your channel .

[@markwilliamson9027]

I remember he loved his vw scirocco mark 1 storm he modified suspension etc Car was a great magazine back in the 70s & 80s

[@DavidDatura]

This is my favorite Bristol model. I think the prettiest of all their cars over the years. The Fighter their most unique looking. Mind you, the Fighter is a very unique looking vehicle in any company.

[@julesdowner5585]

i have always admired Bristols greatly . , On first viewing this , i was reminded of 'Del Boys ' inflatable dolls!

[@markbennett9787]

The trafficators as they were called are original, the flashing indicators are an add on to make it legal. Trafficators were as “dim as a Toc H lamp” and in the smog we had in those days were virtually invisible.

[@winstonmace4865]

One of my favorite all time brands. Can't wait to see the Brittania, 412, 411 Series 6, 405 and other models in the line up. There is very little in the way of Bristol car content on You Tube. Thankfully you are now rectifying that.

[@davidcooper5442]

Many many thanks. The 404 and 411 as requested by my good self. HHHMMMM what next ? The 406 Zagato Coupe please. Love these videos on Bristols

[@tastypymp1287]

405 four door saloon.

[@costafilh0]

Doug totally aproves!

[@hexgraphica]

As a kid I loved bristles. - James May

[@TheSimonhammond]

Love the countryside Warminster/Sailsbury way. I was more thinking that this Bristol has an air of early Jensens like the 541 with the funky radiator cover.

[@brianfreeman8290]

Five years old, walking in London with my Dad, when I saw one of these parked at the side of the road. It is often said that a petrolhead is born in a single seminal moment. That was my moment. Not too long ago, I was in a supermarket car park in my brothers' Alfa GTV. A small boy paused in front of the car, looked at the badge, and his lips clearly but silently enunciated, as his head gently rotated around the circular badge, 'Al fa rom ayo' A new petrolhead was born.

[@derekantill3721]

I have always admired Bristol’s.

[@laurieharper1526]

I like the look of open-mouthed surprise on the face of the 404. Reminds me of one of the characters in the Pixar Cars movie.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Thats sticking out thing is called a “trafficator” …popular in the day.

[@mrbennetts]

I find it amazing that he didn’t know what a trafficator was. Or does it just show how old I am!

[@qcope]

@@mrbennetts Err and it of course, the trafficator should light up. Of course for 190K... you can't expect too much!

[@shanehnorman]

Sometimes nicknamed 'blushing ears' in period.

[@catkin1671]

They are such a joy to see in person.

[@robtt997]

Wonderful wonderful car ! Thank you so much for your excellent test

[@frankonorway]

I just saw this car in person this past weekend here in Malibu; it's beautiful and stunning to see in person. I took a lot of close up photos of the engine as well. I even put it in my youtube video, but I had no idea about this review here.

[@edwardkantowicz4707]

Bristol Fever! Simply magnificent; Cheers, Jay.

[@simonelliott5956]

What a car! Thanks James, thoroughly enjoyed your video, great to see a 404 on the road!

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

That's so cool, that badge is class "2 litre"

[@davey2363]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. I hate cars, but, at 67, rather like most of the world, own one. This is the only car I’ve ever actually lusted after and enjoyed the shape of.

[@PhilipKerry]

It doesn't have two sets of indicators , it has one set of indicators and one set of trafficators ....

[@tastypymp1287]

If you look at the Bristol 405 four door saloon, it seems possible the Porsche Panamera was taken directly from it.

[@throwback19841]

My old man had a 411 (don't recall the series) in pretty original condition. As it relied on a 70s Chrysler drivetrain it suffered from the American malaise- 3 speed auto with a low compression giant gas guzzling V8 that produced a very small amount of power for it's size. So it felt very let down by the drive train. The pluses were the aluminum body, opulent interior and sheer rarity value. Bags of storage too and having a full size spare in a wheel bay was cool. Another downside was his car had cooling issues that never properly got solved in spite of being sent to slj hackett many times and much money spent with no satisfactory resolution or diagnosis. Knowing what I know about cars now I'd have flushed the cooling system and added a modern radiator, better water pump and completely new carburator setup with electronic ignition with an afm gauge to keep an eye on things. Amazed they never advised this. If I had money to burn and wanted one if get a carb'd (or Holley EFI if I wanted to daily it) gm sbc crate motor and a 5 speed manual and swap it and be done with it. 3 speed American autos are the same reason I never bought a v12 jag, and I just cannot be bothered with the trouble of manual swapping one. They completely suck the fun out of cars.

[@Snarfcat]

I have to be honest dude when I first found your videos in 2017 I would watch them switch off, come back try again, switch off. There are so many people on KZbin reviewing cars and at first I did not understand your style. Then after seeing your video renuniting the 275 GTB with its owner I started watching regularly and have recommended your chanel to friends ever since.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome car. Thanks for having these super rare cars. That red is amazing. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@domsphotography]

I’ve been interested in Bristols since 1990 when I was in Australia and working on a farm in the Blue Mountains and the old boy who owned the farmed drove us around the farm and into town in a 405 and had an other that didn’t run in the barn.

[@thomasparkins6749]

In Phantom Thread (2018), Daniel Day-Lewis drives a wine red Bristol 405. There are some wonderful shots of it driving through the countryside through the night and into dawn.

[@stephendavies6949]

Watching & listening to you reminded me of how the renowned, often outspoken and Gandalf-esque bearded journalist & author LJK Setright used to euolgise Bristol Cars. Great stuff!

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

I love the Bristol's. Their engineers in WWII built some amazing aircraft and among the most innovative aircraft engines. I would say if anything I am surprised that the company moved directly into vehicle construction and abandoned their engineering development of engines. They could have been the developer of an entire range of exclusive British and indeed world car engines of all capacities. I recall seeing a few of the older hand beaten aluminium bodied vehicles, gleaming in the sunshine, quite immaculate.

[@francomartini4328]

That pop out indicator was lifted from the Morris Minor which had been in production since 1948. Also, rationing was still in place until 1956. Britain emerged virtually bankrupt from WWII so rationing not only continued post-war, it was actually actually broadened to include stuff not that wasn't rationed during the conflict itself such as bread because it was made from wheat that was largely imported from Canada.

[@TheClive1949]

Simply fabulous! Now, I'd better go and get my 50 year old classic out of the garage and give it a good clean.

[@juleswilko]

Oh! A Fighter video? Oooh. Must find next.

[@Mike-br8zt]

I once owned a 411. I felt like a hooligan in a wine bar.

[@2702simmo]

Love the videos like this of older quirkier stuff Ace motor

[@3ducs]

Ouch! That clutch slip in the opening scene!

[@Lot76CARS]

Hi James, I love this video as these cars are particular favourite of mine they just look so right and have aged really well, yes they’re very old cars but the sense of occasion driving a Bristol compared with anything else must be on another level. So rare and a very left field choice. More please!

[@Sauceyjames]

Windows open, crystal clear audio, JayEmm still apologizes for it.

[@MrMarkusmulder]

Beautiful. Thanks for the video and stay safe ✌️

[@twostrokecharlie]

I have a 405 with 4 doors which make it more practical for everyday use, long legged yes with overdrive on 4th and spares availability good.

[@dhdove]

My father always wanted a Bristol and as a child I remember going to see several 405’s in the late sixties and early seventies. Sadly they were all too expensive (and maybe too exotic?). He had to make do with a string of BMC Farinas, though the Wolseley 6/110 in two tone green and cream was rather special, the first car I did 100 mph in aged 12.

[@simonleach6632]

What a beautiful machine, and that exhaust note it pure automotive music, modern high revving engines scream at you, an old straight six, those just sing!

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

The arm indicator which can stick out, was common and were called semaphore indicators, and ones I have seen were operated be electrical coils.

[@rogerhudson9732]

Whenever I see a really great car, a work of mechanical art, I'm immediately let down when I find they made forty , or sometimes only one or two of them. My favorite Ferarri ? the 250 Lusso of course !

[@m.p.509]

Incredible review and history. What a beautiful car. My first thought, when I saw the car, was Porsche 356….until you said something about the Ferrari of that day. And I totally agree. ‘Road and race’ - great description.

[@seinsmeld13]

Excellent car. Thanks Jay. Too bad the company folded.

[@drd6416]

Fantastic cars,a great alternative to Astons etc. Clever thinking, such as the tyre location and battery box on more modern ones. That 494 sounds as good as it should.... love it... a proper Mr's car!

[@charlie1832]

The indicators on the side of the car are called Trafficators

[@davidperkins605]

Absolutely fantastic, more classics please, so much more enjoyable than modern cars👍

[@happy_camper]

Bristol had class wins at Le Mans in the 2.0L class. Finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

[@bobphillips2188]

Indeed, they ARE indicators, originally called trafficators.. My dad's 'sit up and beg' Ford Pop had them, and they lit up so you could see them in the dark. Good luck with that with a car bearing down on you in misty weather! Flashing light indicators were a radical new thing in the fifties, though, thankfully, standard by the sixties.

[@SuperLuckyCat7]

Loved this Vid ❣️ In these days a 1000 bhp Lambo or whatever new hybrid don't do it for me anymore. But these gems from when motoring still was like a lifestyle, goggles'n all are the stuff that Dreams are made of. Keep diggin' - all these low-volume Brits are amazing🤩 Wishlist in brief; Gilbern, Jensen, Ginetta and Reliant 🍀

[@johnrandall125]

Agreed. Car design has peaked. I saw a modern Ferrari a few days ago. It looked like a Toyota or some other Japanese car. It was a visual emetic.

[@ehhhh9287]

This example is currently for sale on car & classic.

[@mescko]

The later Bristols were wonderful and all...but nothing beats that 6 cylinder snarl. But nothing.

[@adrianharrison5208]

Beautiful!

[@25johnlowe]

Great stuff, very cool machine that.

[@MrBobmac10]

Jay Emm, thankyou so much for this review, the car is amazingly beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed how you reviewed it. Among all the car reviewers and critics on KZbin, you stand out with honest and down to earth comments. I feel it’s how normal car lovers would want to know about the pros and cons of a vehicle without over emphasising one particular aspect. In other words, balanced and realistic. The Bristol is certainly an intriguing marque and I wonder if it’s possible to review some more? I read where the first model they made, the 400 was based on the pre war BMW. I would love to know what it’s like and how it compares with the BMW.

[@emgee9775]

The semaphore indicators were known as ‘trafficators,’ as seen on the MG ZA Magnette

[@AliWade1971]

Beautiful cars

[@GadgetyMV]

Lovely!

[@mr-wx3lv]

I love the engine set up. 2 litre str8 six with three carburetors... made a great noise...

[@madmatt5661]

I love Bristols they just different from the norm bristol blenhiem would be the first thing I'd buy if I've ever got shit loads of money 😀👊

[@charliegardner6804]

Wow a thing of great beauty 😍

[@LarsAgerbk]

That's the stuff!!!!!!!!

[@AllSortsOfStuff58]

Beautiful car. We watched an 'Agatha Christie' last night(The Crooked House) and the young protagonist drove what looked like a maroon one of these. Now my wife wants one. Yeah, right...

[@skyway1512]

Nice to meet you at the super sausage today

[@deborahbarnes8377]

Saw this for the first time this year.Immediatly wanted to know what it is.❤❤❤

[@MarkGelderland]

Gorgeous car

[@mrbennetts]

The 411 has a Bristol go-faster stripe! Probably the poshest one ever! 😂❤

[@shaunw9270]

Hello from Bristol 👋

[@mairenared]

Great video James. I'd be interested to know how this model compares with an Aston Martin or a Jaguar of similar vintage. This one definitely has a more Italian look, especially in red.

[@juleswilko]

Can you try get hold of a Noble next ?

[@johnstuckaiii]

He reviewed an M400

[@michaelarchangel1163]

Saw a 410 at a classic show in Swansea about ten years ago and look forward to your test of the 411. I think they're all but the same mechanically, albeit the 411 has a bit more poke, but I prefer the headlamp design and grille of the 410. The 412 is squared off in the manner of a Triumph TR6 vs a TR5, which totally ruined the classy shape.

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

I was watching a British adventure show, where a few people would enter long closed mansions or abandoned hotels and the like. On this instance they came across a facility which seemed to be full of machinery and spare parts for mostly older styles of cars, but also some more recent models. Many of the parts were recognisable to me as Bristol?

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Does anyone know the connection between Bristol cars and Bristol commercial vehicles? I noticed the Bristol logo on the engine is the same as used on Bristol buses - surely one of the finest built psv's.

[@tgalloway]

I do like a nice pair of Bristols

[@operator6471]

Such a great pedigree.