Bristol 403
Encyclopedia
The Bristol 403 is a luxury car which was produced between 1953 and 1955 by British
manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Co. (whose car division later became Bristol Cars
). The 403 was the third of the eventual five series of Bristols powered by the BMW
-derived pushrod straight-six engine. It replaced the Bristol 401
and 402 in 1953 and continued production for two years.
It retained much the same styling as the 401, but featured many mechanical improvements compared to that model. The 1971 cc six-cylinder engine was modified through the use of bigger valve
s and larger main bearings with a diameter of 54 mm as against 51 mm on the 400
and 401, which increased the power output to 100 hp as against 85 hp on the 401. The acceleration was markedly improved: the 403 could reach 60 mi/h in 13.4 seconds as against 16.4 seconds for the 401. The 403 had top speed of 104 mi/h.
To cope with this increased power, an anti-roll bar was fitted on the front suspension and improved drum brakes known as "Alfins" (Aluminum finned) were fitted. Early models had them on all wheels, but Bristol thought the car was over-braked and they were thus restricted to the front wheels on later 403s.
The 403 was the last Bristol to feature a BMW-style radiator grille. It is also noteworthy for having two extra headlamps
at the side, almost pre-dating the adoption of the four-headlamp layout in larger cars (Bristol themselves adopted it with the 411
in the late 1960s).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Co. (whose car division later became Bristol Cars
Bristol Cars
Bristol Cars is a manufacturer of hand-built luxury cars headquartered in Patchway, near Bristol, United Kingdom. Bristol have always been a low-volume manufacturer; the most recent published official production figures were for 1982, which stated that 104 cars were produced in that year...
). The 403 was the third of the eventual five series of Bristols powered by the BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
-derived pushrod straight-six engine. It replaced the Bristol 401
Bristol 401
The Bristol 401 saloon and Bristol 402 cabriolet are British luxury sporting cars, produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Co. between 1948 and 1953. They were the successors to the initial Bristol 400....
and 402 in 1953 and continued production for two years.
It retained much the same styling as the 401, but featured many mechanical improvements compared to that model. The 1971 cc six-cylinder engine was modified through the use of bigger valve
Valve
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
s and larger main bearings with a diameter of 54 mm as against 51 mm on the 400
Bristol 400
The Bristol 400 luxury car is the first automotive product of the British Bristol Aeroplane Company. After World War II, BAC decided to diversify and formed a car division, which would later be the Bristol Cars company in its own right...
and 401, which increased the power output to 100 hp as against 85 hp on the 401. The acceleration was markedly improved: the 403 could reach 60 mi/h in 13.4 seconds as against 16.4 seconds for the 401. The 403 had top speed of 104 mi/h.
To cope with this increased power, an anti-roll bar was fitted on the front suspension and improved drum brakes known as "Alfins" (Aluminum finned) were fitted. Early models had them on all wheels, but Bristol thought the car was over-braked and they were thus restricted to the front wheels on later 403s.
The 403 was the last Bristol to feature a BMW-style radiator grille. It is also noteworthy for having two extra headlamps
Automotive lighting
The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted or integrated to the front, sides, rear, and in some cases the top of the motor vehicle...
at the side, almost pre-dating the adoption of the four-headlamp layout in larger cars (Bristol themselves adopted it with the 411
Bristol 411
The Bristol 411 is a car which was built by the British manufacturer Bristol Cars. It was the fifth series of Chrysler V8 engined Bristol models....
in the late 1960s).