Bristol

[I feel a Jackson Pollock coming on <brandenberg@gauss.enet.dec.com>]

Last night I saw something unusual: parked a few blocks from my place
was a car I'd heard of but never seen in print or person.  A Bristol.
Looks to be early/mid-50's, RHD, styling typical of coupes of the era,
and a bit shy of concours condition.  What is the history and lineage
of this marque?  I assume it's not a total redesign but a repackaging
of other maker's components...

Monty