Its door handles vanish on purpose: you open the doors by pushing a button instead.
Lead trim: 401 1,971 cc OHV six (85 bhp)
Bristol 401401 · 1948–1953
- 0spots by members
- Unclaimednobody has spotted one yet
- 0sets it belongs to
Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Bristol 401 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactIts door handles vanish on purpose: you open the doors by pushing a button instead.
The Bristol 401 saloon (and the 402 cabriolet) are British luxury grand tourers produced between 1948 and 1953, developed from the 400, which continued alongside them until 1950. The styling, an advance on the 400's, was inspired by Milanese designer Carrozzeria Touring, its most notable feature being that the door handles are not exposed (the doors are opened by pressing a button); the body is more spacious than the 400 and a full five-seater, with headlights toward the centre-line either side of a narrow grille, and deep front curvature giving a drag coefficient believed to be under Cd 0.36. The engine is the 400's 2-litre in-line six with improved Solex carburettors adding 5 bhp to 85 bhp (63 kW); suspension is independent at the front by a transverse leaf spring and wishbones with a rigid rear axle on torsion bars, rack-and-pinion steering and Lockheed hydraulic 11 in drums all round. Bristol made 611 401s, the largest production run of any Bristol model, and four 401 cabriolets were built with Pininfarina styling. A saloon tested by The Motor in 1952 recorded 97.3 mph and 0-60 mph in 15.1 seconds (test-car price £3,532). Wheelbase 114 in (2,896 mm), length 191.5 in (4,864 mm), width 67 in (1,702 mm), height 60 in (1,524 mm).
Collectors Spotted in the Bristol 401 Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Bristol 401 yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401 1,971 cc OHV six (85 bhp) | 1948–1953 | 2.0 L Inline-6 | 85 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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