Bristol 405 Price Guide

The Bristol 405 was the only four-door Bristol ever built. This decision attracted some criticism from purists but resulted in 308 sales, making it the most commercially successful of the early Bristol range. The Autocar described it as going “round as uncompromisingly upright as a Calvinist pastor.” Motor Sport found “very little with which to find fault.” Both are correct.

The Car

The 405 used the BMW-derived six-cylinder in 105bhp form on the standard 9ft 6in wheelbase in a four-door saloon body. Of 308 built, 265 were four-door saloons and 43 were two-door drophead coupes, the drophead being the most desirable variant for buyers today. Some saloons were bodied by Beutler in Switzerland. The 405 was the last Bristol to use the traditional pre-war-derived setups before the 406 brought disc brakes, overdrive, and an enlarged engine.

Buying

The drophead is the collector’s 405. The saloon offers the most practical early Bristol ownership. Both are well-supported by the Bristol Owners Club. The same engine concerns as the 401 through 404 apply; block cracking and head gasket integrity are the primary checks.