RARE HERITAGE
A marque from the past returns with a V8 speedster
One day in 1909, a man named George White travelled to Paris to see the Wright brothers demonstrate powered flight. At the time, White was the managing director of the Bristol Tramways Company, but the flight demonstration made him determined to become Britain’s first commercial producer of aeroplanes.
The following year, he formed the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, which soon gained fame for creating the Bristol Scout biplane. Highly manoeuvrable and capable of attaining 160 kph, the Scout earned the nickname Bullet, and became so popular that the company received an order for 400 units. Although it was initially intended for civilian racing, the Bullet was used extensively as a reconnaissance and fighter aircraft during the First World War.
This marriage of speed and aerodynamic prowess later inspired White’s son and grandson, who established the Car Division of the renamed Bristol Aeroplane Company after the Second World War. Seizing advantage of the defeat of Germany, they purchased the rights to the BMW 327 chassis and 328 two-litre racing engine for use in Bristol cars.
Built and developed in the rarefied atmosphere of the aeroplane factory, Bristol cars were lightweight, streamlined from wind-tunnel testing, and constructed to aeronautic standards. Bristol models began winning rallies from 1948 onwards, while Bristol 450s came first, second and third in their class at the 1954 and 1955 Le Mans races. Even after becoming an independent entity in 1960, Bristol Cars continued invoking its aviation heritage, and gained a reputation for building top-notch – even eccentric – vehicles.
In 1973, Bristol Cars was sold to Anthony Crook, a former Grand Prix driver. Under Crook’s direction, the company produced at least six types, including cars named after Bristol aircraft: the , Blenheim, Britannia and . But times were changing. The company once again changed ownership, and finally went into administration in 2011. An icon of the British motoring industry was no more. The same company whose parent organisation later helped build the Concorde supersonic jet could no longer even build a motorcar.
And yet, in the same way that Britain has reinvented itself, Bristol has returned to life with a new owner, Kamkorp. Last year, on the anniversary of the founding of Bristol Cars Limited, it presented a new model — the Bullet speedster. As the name makes obvious, the Bullet takes cues from aeronautics, starting with its carbon fibre composite construction to achieve high strength, rigidity and low weight. The wings, front grille and bonnet take visual inspiration from vintage Bristol aircraft.
Putting together its low weight and V8 Hercules engine, the Bullet can go from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 kph. Continuing tradition, it uses a 4.8-litre power plant manufactured by BMW and finished by Bristol. Hours of cruising will be enjoyable, as the seats are contoured for support and comfort over long distances. Dashboard panelling comes in classic wood or carbon fibre with either a herringbone or unidirectional weave.
A multi-touch screen embedded into the dashboard provides connectivity for digital radios and smartphones, as well as Bluetooth and WiFi. Screen-mirroring of supported smartphone devices allows the hassle-free use of preferred navigation applications. Hand-made in Chichester in England, the new Bullet will be limited to 70 units, and is expected to hit the streets this year.