The Bristol 410 was the fourth series of Chrysler V8-engined models from Bristol Cars and the last to use the 5.2-litre engine originally fitted to the 407. With it Bristol aimed for a more aerodynamic shape, faired the headlamps into the wings and finally abandoned push-button transmission controls.
Bristol 410 at a glance
| Maker | Bristol Cars |
|---|---|
| Series | fourth series of Chrysler V8-engined models |
| Body | four-door saloon |
| Engine | 5.2-litre (318 cu in) Chrysler V8 |
| Headlamps | fully faired into the wings |
| Wheels | 15 inch, against 16 inch on earlier Bristols |
| Brakes | revised disc system with updated circuits |
| Gearbox | automatic with a lever between the front seats |
| Lockers | front wing compartments for battery, fuses, wipers and spare wheel |
This page is based on the English Wikipedia article on the Bristol 410.
History of the Bristol 410
The 410 was the fourth series of Chrysler V8-engined models from Bristol Cars, and the last Bristol to use the 5.2-litre (318 cubic inch) engine that had originally appeared in the Bristol 407. With the 410, Bristol aimed for a more aerodynamic approach than that of the previous five series going back to the 405. The styling changes were relatively minor, but every one of them was intended to make the car look more curved.
Faired-in lamps and new wheels
The most noteworthy change was that the headlamps were fully faired into the wings of the car rather than protruding outwards as on previous models. The car also ran on 15-inch wheels instead of the 16-inch size used by earlier Bristols, and the disc braking system that dated back to the 406 was revised for the first time since then, with a greatly updated arrangement of braking circuits.
Inside and in the wings
As in every Bristol saloon since the 404, a compartment reached through a hinged panel between the front of the driver’s door and the rear of the front wheel arch housed the battery, fuse panel, windscreen wiper motor and brake servos; a similar panel on the other side held the spare wheel and jack.
Inside, Bristol had by then come to agree with Chrysler that the safety problems of push-button automatic transmission were too difficult to counter. The 410 therefore shifted to a conventional lever mounted between the two front seats, ending a feature that had distinguished Bristol V8 saloons since the 407.
Design and features
- Faired headlamps: fully integrated into the wings for a cleaner, more curved front.
- Smaller wheels: 15-inch rims replaced the 16-inch wheels of earlier Bristols.
- Revised brakes: the first rework of the disc system since the 406, with new circuits.
- Floor shift: a lever between the seats replaced the dashboard transmission buttons.
Bristol 410 versions
- 410: the standard four-door saloon.
- Later V8 saloons: the 410 was the last Bristol with the 5.2-litre engine before the 411.
The 410 followed the Bristol 409 and was succeeded by the Bristol 411 with its larger engine. More models are in the Bristol collection.
Sources
- Bristol 410, English Wikipedia: styling, wheels, brakes, transmission
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