Bristol Owners Club : Type 401

Bristol Type 401 - 2 litre Saloon

The first series of this type was introduced in 1948.
For two years the first series was fabricated alongside the Type 400.
First production models were leaving the factory in 1948.
A second series was introduced in 1950.
The third and final series followed in 1951.
Production ceased in 1953.

page revised 4th May 1998

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Bristol Type 401
The Type 401 was the 2nd model produced by the company. The First Series cars are easily identified by the distinctive ridge along the lower edge of the body.
Where it differs principally from the Type 400 is in the form of construction and material used. It is built on a form of 'Superleggera' matrix of steel tubes mounted on the same open 'A' frame steel chassis, with different outriggers at the rear to accommodate a lower mounting position of the fuel tank. Unlike the Type 400 the body shell of the Type 401 is completely aluminium. The doors also have wind-down windows and being larger it comfortably seats five persons.
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Front near side view of a very nicely presented third series 401.
Note the definition relates to a left hand drive vehicle.
A recognition point of the Type 401 in its original trim was the Front Grille inserts being painted Black whilst the surrounds were Chromed. Perhaps not knowing this or preferring to change the specification some owners have changed this to feature Silver painted inserts which were the style adopted for the Type 403 or even Chromed inserts which was the style adopted by the Factory for the Type 400.
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The rear off side view presented 3rd series car which is easily identified by the rear lights being mounted above and parallel to the bumper.
Note the definition relates to a left hand drive vehicle.
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Interior view of the third series car, note - Left hand drive version. Like the Second Series Type 401 the instruments are Black faced whereas those in the First Series like the Type 402 are Ivory coloured.
Bristol Type 401 - Farina Drophead
A number Type 400 driven chassis were sent to Italy during ca.1947-48 to Stablimenti Farina where various design exercises were executed.
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This is an example fitted with drophead style coachwork, on a chassis plated as a Type 401.
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As the cognoscenti will recognize the styling is similar in many respects to bodies also executed for Alfa Romeo and other customers of that period.
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This picture gives a good view of the symmetrical dash layout.
Bristol Type 401 - Beutler Saloon
This particular car with its chassis plated as a Type 401 is fitted with Saloon Coachwork by Gebr.Beutler AG of Thun, Switzerland. Two such cars were created and were originally painted in two tone fashion, one having a Black Roof and White or Ivory coloured Body, and the other a White or Ivory Roof and Black Body. At first glance the coachwork on these two chassis was very similar but in some details they were slightly different. eg.There are a number of small porthole type vents set into the side of the front wings. The other Saloon did not have these. Later in 1957 a third saloon design was to be executed by the Company on a Type 406 chassis.
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This example has been resprayed it was originally the unit painted with a Black Roof and a White or Ivory Body. It went direct from Switzerland to Ceylon and spent many years there, before finally being brought for the first time to Britain. It has since been refurbished and repainted two tone with a Pale Grey Roof and Emerald Green Body.

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