To Brussels by Bristol
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BRISTOLS TO BRUSSELS TO BRUSSELS BY BRISTOL Brussels is noted for its fine cuisine, and it’s a 460-mile round trip from London. Go there for lunch and back in a day? No big deal in a Bristol WORDS Robert Coucher // PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Howell 88 APRIL 2014 OCTANE BRISTOLS TO BRUSSELS 1966 BRISTOL 410 ENGINE 5211cc V8, OHV, Carter four-barrel carburettor POWER 250bhp @ 4400rpm TORQUE 340 lb ft @ 3800rpm TRANSMISSION Three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive STEERING ZF recirculating ball, power-assisted SUSPENSION Front: independent unequal wishbones, helical springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rear: live axle, torsion bars, Watt’s linkage, telescopic dampers BRAKES Girling discs, servo-assisted WEIGHT 1600kg PERFORMANCE Top speed 130mph. 0-60mph 8.0sec 1970 BRISTOL 411 ENGINE 6277cc V8, OHV, Carter four-barrel carburettor POWER 335bhp @5200rpm TORQUE 425 lb ft @ 3400rpm TRANSMISSION Three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive STEERING ZF recirculating ball, power-assisted SUSPENSION Front: independent unequal wishbones, helical springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rear: live axle, torsion bars, Watt’s linkage, adjustable telescopic dampers BRAKES Discs, servo-assisted WEIGHT 1690kg PERFORMANCE Top speed 138mph. 0-60mph 7.0sec O MY MIND, a proper lunch is from 1914 to 1954. After World War Two, Sir George Above and right the epitome of civilised life. And twigged that the voracious demand for Bristol aircraft Coucher and Co meet up in Chelsea at dawn; pop out the more formal the better. Taken and aero engines would dry up, so he began working from under the sea in Calais, with good friends, it should last with AFN Ltd, maker of Frazer Nash cars and the British turn left et voilà! Belgium. at least a couple of languid importer of BMWs. And so, when hostilities came to an hours, preceded by a degree of end, HJ Aldington of AFN went to Munich and anticipation, helped along by a dollop of effort, supported purchased the rights to manufacture three BMW models Tby an ample supply of decent wine and then rounded off and the 328 engine, as part of the War Reparations deal. with a moist Cuban cigar. But soon the Bristol and AFN co-operative split up But all too often these days, lunch is regarded with and the Bristol Car Division became an independent puritanical disdain. We are reduced to snatching a pre- manufacturer of motor cars. prepared sandwich, shovelled down while we’re The Bristol 400 made its first appearance at the hunched over a keyboard – there are five times more Geneva motor show in 1947. It was not a sports car but germs on an average computer keyboard than in your rather a high-quality gentleman’s four-seater. Power lavatory – and, as for the digestive sensibilities of a glass was provided by an upgraded BMW 328 six-cylinder or two of good wine, heaven forfend. No, only a sugar- engine and the car featured outstanding steering and laced cola or salty mineral water is allowed, even though handling. In 1949 a 400 finished third in the Touring both interfere with proper digestion, adding to the Class on the Mille Miglia, driven by Count Johnny obesity epidemic of our ‘fast food’ world. Edwardian Lurani – a true gentleman driver. gentlemen had it right; a proper lunch is good for you. The 400 was superseded by the 401, 402 and so on Belgium (Brussels in particular) is home to some of the until 1965, when the new 409 model was launched with best restaurants in Europe. I don’t really know my way a stonking great Chrysler V8 coupled to an automatic around the city but Belgian Pascal Maeter certainly does. transmission. Bristol purists were shocked that the He is a gourmand and superb cook, with an Edwardian venerable ‘six’ was being replaced by an American V8, gentleman’s nose for epicurean adventures. Pascal is also but the V8-era cars promised superb grand touring a keen classic car driver. You can see where this is going… capabilities. Today we have the recently deceased former racing driver and sole Bristol distributor Tony SIR GEORGE G StanLEY WHITE BT, son of the Crook (see page 20) to thank for his percipience in Edwardian gentleman Sir George White, was the understanding that more discreet power was required. managing director of the Bristol Aeroplane Company These big-hearted machines are just what we need for 90 APRIL 2014 OCTANE OCTANE APRIL 2014 91 BRISTOL TO BRUSSELS As we set off I suggest Pascal gives his 410 a bit of stick armchair with a good view of the walnut dashboard, I Above and left ‘We’re gentlemen drivers, after all, and have big V8- out of London, and he obliges. Following in the blue 411, find the car is just as I expected: an involving, long- The pale blue car is the 411, currently for sale at Bristol Cars; we have to press-on to keep up. Philip is driving. From legged grand tourer. The sizable 6277cc V8 is subdued Coucher found the 410 felt a bit engined Bristols at the ready, so let’s do it in one hit’ Chelsea, through Knightsbridge, Westminster and the and the three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission more raw – but preferred it. Docklands, the Bristols power through the city at a good is a good match for all the easy 425lb ft of torque; power clip. Breaking out onto the M20 motorway, the cars ease is quoted at 335bhp. Both are optimistic SAE figures but into a comfortable gallop. At the Eurotunnel, it’s under it certainly feels up to muster and the whole driving this motoring adventure – a quick (though gentlemanly) The initial plan was to motor down through Belgium, the English Channel, arriving in France some 35 minutes experience is what you might expect of a car far younger drive to Brussels for lunch. have lunch, spend the night and then drive back the next later. What an impressive feat of engineering. than this 411’s 44 years. In its day it was faster to 60mph The 1968 Bristol 410 you see here, finished in ‘White’ day. But Brussels is not that far away so it seems a bit Once we get back above ground in Calais I take the and had a higher top speed than its contemporary green, has recently been acquired by Pascal Maeter and effete to spend two days on the trip. We’re gentlemen wheel of the 411. I must confess, I rather appreciate autobahn-storming Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, then is in need of a long Continental run. Sir George G Stanley drivers, after all, and have big V8-engined Bristols at the Bristol motor cars. I have always wanted to own one and regarded as the best saloon in the world. White’s great grandson, George White – who goes by the ready, so let’s do it in one hit. almost did. I like the fact that they are virtually invisible Spearing past Dunkerque and on towards Jabbeke name of Philip because he is the fifth ‘George’, which These cars are designed to consume distance with on the road because, to the uninitiated, they look like we swap cars and I take the wheel of Pascal’s 410. It confused everyone – now works for Bristol Cars and disdainful insouciance. Pascal’s 410 comes from the Austin Westminsters. Ferrari owners have absolutely no immediately feels more compact and that Bluemels brings along this 1970 Bristol 411 Series I, finished in Classic Throttle Shop in Sydney, Australia. It has covered idea, in the same way no Bristol owner would ever deign steering wheel is fabulous. Start the smaller 5211cc V8 metallic blue with its original black vinyl roof. Very only 19,672 miles and appears to be in perfect fettle. to wear a medallion (apart, perhaps, from arriviste and it sounds like a muscle car – vocal and with a more period and correct. Philip has a competition Austin 7 for A 460-mile round trip? No worries, mate. singer Liam Gallagher and mogul Richard Branson). obvious energy than the refined 411. On the move the motoring amusement and, judging by his fresh-faced, It would be disingenuous of me to say that we plotted ‘Discreet’ is too active an adjective to apply to a 100kg lighter 410 is sharp and alert. It feels faster than the youthful looks, is more interested in driving than eating. a romantic route along scenic backroads through France handmade, aluminium, coachbuilt Bristol. Detractors later car, but is actually not, as it has to make do with just Ha! We haven’t yet told him what’s on the menu. and Belgium. We did not. The intention was to get to see them as eccentric and old-fashioned. Enthusiasts see 250bhp and 340lb ft of torque. But you are closer to the The lunch trip begins at the crack of dawn at Pascal’s lunch and back as fast as possible in these mile-eating them as… eccentric and old-fashioned, but also low-key, action with the 410. Involvement is increased. garage in Chelsea. The early gloom is enlivened by the Bristols. If we’d been in earlier, six-cylinder iterations fast, and fastidiously constructed and engineered. More As we hit Belgium the clear blue skies turn black and immaculate Bristol 410 reversing out into the creeping then yes, we would have considered more classic- go than show. the rain comes down in torrents. The 410, with its 16in light. The 5.3-litre V8’s rumble fills the mews as friendly roads. Instead we opt for the fast and open N40 This 36,000-mile 411 proves to be quick, smooth, quiet, wheels shod with narrow 185 tyres, is not as secure as the condensation from the twin exhausts rises into the cool motorway directly into Brussels.