Once a proud company with a rich heritage in both trains and trams and also, more notably, the aviation industry, Bristol technology was the driving force behind Britain’s war efforts. But with peace reigning once more the company had to diversify and in 1948 the British Bristol Aeroplane Company, as it was then known, created a car division, and with it they gave the world the first Bristol automobile: the Bristol 400.
Bristol cars also gained a fierce reputation on the track, which served the company well in the showroom. A Bristol 450 won the 2.0-litre class at Reims in '53 with the same model taking first, second and third in class at Le Mans a year later. With drivers like Jack Brabham, Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss, Bristol was a force to be reckoned with. Sadly the company is no more but classic Bristol cars live on and thanks to Car & Classic you can find your very own Bristol car for sale.