Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1953 Bristol 401
Previously in the ownership of Derek Cunningham, a flamboyant Hollywood writer, director and actor
Estimate
£30, 000 - £35, 000
Registration No: LHO 401
Chassis No: 401/ 1202
MOT: Exempt
1 of just 618 Bristol 401's made
Previously in the ownership of Derek Cunningham, a flamboyant Hollywood writer, director and actor
Matching chassis and numbers and a fantastic opportunity to own a Bristol
Offered from a deceased estate and just requires its final finishing
"This, indeed, is the car for the connoisseur. It can only be modesty on the part of the Bristol publicity boys which has prevented them from quoting as the 401's slogan 'The Best Car in Britain'" (Motor Sport magazine, January 1953).
Introduced in Autumn 1949, the 401 was characterised by its super-smooth, aerodynamic bodywork. Honed in the Bristol Aeroplane Company's wind tunnel and built using Milanese coachbuilder Touring's ‘Superleggera’ technique, it boasted a commendably lithe kerb weight (c. 2, 700lbs). Equipped with transverse-leaf independent front suspension and hydraulic drum brakes, the newcomer proved a notably fine handler taking Touring Class wins on both the Cannes and Tulip Rallies during 1951. Powered by a 1971cc OHV straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the elegant sports saloon promised nigh-on 100mph performance. Only in production for four years (by which time a mere 618 are thought to have been made), the model's exclusive £3, 212 13s 4d price tag was a reflection of the aircraft quality materials used in its construction.
First registered in Hampshire on the 14th May 1953 and previously featured in the December 1956 issue of Motor Sport magazine with its original and apt plate 'LHO 401', this Bristol 401 has resided in and benefitted from its current ownership since 2019.
When purchased by the vendor, 'LHO' was in a stripped down state, however, all the major components were with the car, including the original engine, gearbox and drivetrain. The clincher for the vendor buying this particular car in a stripped down condition - not normally recommended, was he identified from the logbook it was registered within 4 days of his birthday. A touch of serendipity in his mind.
The stripped down state of the 401 was due to it having previous restoration work carried out over a number of years in the hands of the previous two owners. 'LHO 401' had occupied a space at TT Workshops Ltd for some 15 years, where work was carried out as-and-when the owner could afford to pay the restoration company. Delivered to TT Workshops Ltd in 1979, for the bodywork to be done, they had begun to strip the car down, the body being stripped back to the aluminium. The same company refurbished the suspension and steering, finally giving the finished body a basic undercoat for protection. Initially, the vendor was concerned about getting the car to a workshop in order to identify what was missing after such enterprise. It became evident that the car was in effect 85% complete, better than he expected.
Decades now having passed, work was to begin in earnest, to finally bring 'LHO' back to its former glory. The engine and gearbox were removed and the rest of the car checked to make sure all the suspension and steering work by the previous restoration company had been carried out. All checked out as 'very good'. In particular, the chassis presented in excellent condition with no visible corrosion or signs of damage. The chassis had been painted as the original finish would have been.
Stripped once more, 'LHO' was presented to Superspray Ltd as a rolling body and to the head painter Jose, described as having an 'amazing reputation for detail'. Taken to bare metal, the only noticeable flaws found being two small holes in the lips of the front two wheel arches and two small holes in the web of the front nose, these were filled with aluminium welding, a delicate process. There are images available that show the body stripped and prepared for paint, the chassis number being stamped on every panel that was removed in the process. 'LHO's' original colour had been identified as a Blue/ Green hue ('Blue' on the buff logbook), however, it was decided that British Racing Green would be used as the body colour. Another important job on the list, was to arrange for all the chrome items to be re-chromed. Castle Chroming in Dudley, finished all the chrome to an excellent standard.
Whilst the body was away being painted, the current owner stripped the engine to find very little wear, although the plan was to rebuild the engine to a better specification. The block and head cleaned the engine was placed in the hands of Rob Walker Engines, New Yatt, Oxfordshire, where the bores were checked, the head skimmed and hardened valve seats fitted. Rob ground the crank and shaft to provide +10th replacement bearings, mains and big ends. Rob also confirmed the con-rods were straight and well within tolerance. With the engine being prepared, the gearbox was taken to another Bristol specialist, to have it checked over and an overdrive unit fitted.
A set of Cosworth pistons and rings (developed for better combustion in race engines) were obtained from Roderick MacPherson, a Bristol Engine specialist, along with a 'fast road' profiled camshaft. The engine also benefitted from a new uprated oil pump, uprated cylinder head gasket, new valves, new head, studs, a complete gasket set, new clutch and a refurbished water pump, before final assembly. With the help of the Bristol Owner's Club, the correct 'Pale Green' colour for a Bristol engine block was obtained.
Previously in the ownership of a Derek Cunningham, a flamboyant writer, director and actor linked to satirical sketch comedy, Hollywood comedy writing and corporate films in the 1970s, 'LHO 401' is accompanied to the sale by its original 1953 logbook, instruction manual, a dossier of correspondance, invoices from the 1970s and 1980s, a copy of a the December 1956 issue of Motor Sport magazine featuring 'LHO' and other fascinating history.
