The Bristol 409 was the third series of Bristol cars powered by Chrysler V8 engines. Introduced before the older 408 had gone out of production, it gradually supplanted that model, bringing a much softer ride, an alternator and the first power steering offered by Bristol.
Bristol 409 at a glance
| Maker | Bristol Cars |
|---|---|
| Series | third series of Chrysler V8-engined models |
| Body | four-door saloon |
| Engine | 5,204 cc (317.6 cu in) Chrysler V8 |
| Springs | much softer than on the 407 and 408 |
| Electrical | alternator instead of a dynamo |
| Steering | power steering optional, standard after June 1967 |
| Grille | trapezoidal with a rounded bottom |
| Gearbox | automatic with dashboard selector buttons |
This page is based on the English Wikipedia article on the Bristol 409.
History of the Bristol 409
The 409 was the third series of Bristol cars powered by Chrysler V8 engines. It was actually introduced before the older Bristol 408 went out of production and only gradually supplanted that model after a year.
Chassis and electrics
There were a number of major changes to the chassis compared with earlier Bristols. The springs were much softer than those of the 408 or 407, so that ride quality was much better. Following Chrysler’s pioneering work in the early 1960s, Bristol fitted an alternating current alternator in place of the traditional direct current dynamo, which had proved difficult to drive at high engine speeds. As a follow-up to work already done on the 408, there was an improved safety lever to prevent anyone putting the automatic transmission into gear accidentally, and an altered differential with a slightly higher, numerically lower ratio.
Styling
The styling was almost unchanged from the 408, though the radiator grille was altered into a trapezoidal shape with a rounded bottom rather than the precise rectangle of the 408. The engine was also altered slightly from the 408 Mark II: it remained at 5,204 cc but provided slightly increased power and torque.
The 409 was the first Bristol to be offered with power steering, initially as an optional extra and after June 1967 as standard equipment. It was also the last Bristol V8 to feature dashboard transmission selector buttons; the subsequent Bristol 410 had a central transmission shift lever between the seats, as well as a more streamlined frontal design.
Design and features
- Softer suspension: a much better ride than the 407 and 408.
- Alternator: an AC alternator replaced the DC dynamo.
- Power steering: optional at first, standard on cars built after June 1967.
- Trapezoidal grille: a rounded-bottom shape instead of the 408’s rectangle.
Bristol 409 versions
- 409: the standard saloon.
- Cars before June 1967: power steering available as an option.
- Late cars: power steering fitted as standard.
The 409 followed the Bristol 408 and was replaced by the Bristol 410, the last Bristol with the 5.2-litre engine. All models are in the Bristol collection.
Video: Bristol 409 by Drivin’ Ivan Katz (Vintage 1993)
Video by drivinivankatz on YouTube.
Sources
- Bristol 409, English Wikipedia: chassis, electrics, steering, styling
