BRISTOL 403 #1404, APRIL 2013
3-5 April 2013: a short test and more stripping
She runs! It was only a short test drive (only a few hundres yards) conformed what I expected. The good points:
- Superb engine, good oil pressure, easy to start;
-Great gearbox, slick and light;
-Good clutch;
-Light steering
The rear lights are of the 'minimal' style typical of many advanced cars of that era, when traffic was scarce and speed of other vehicles not so high. Now they look positively inadequate; for safety sake, I would like to improve them. Therefore, any suggestion from fellow 401/403 owners to improve on the situation, fitting better 'period' lights without spoiling the overall effect and style, would be very welcome
#1404 looks a bit rough in pictures, but the trouble is mostly cosmetical
Alfin drums looks nice once they have been accurately sandblasted. The massive chassis is sound, the underside of the car has been checked and waxed y the previous owner who also rebuilt the brakes and worked on suspensione and engine to send in Italy a 403 that is fully driveable and doesn't need much work
Front bumper and air scoop removed. Surprisingly, both the Marston radiator and engine block look 'dry'; no oil or water leaks here, at least for the moment. Probably they simply have very little fluids inside
Carpets removed, the footwells are a bit rough but everything works well enough
8 April 2013
The 'bowls' of the side/fog lamps are a bit rusty. Anyone knows the part number for this lamp or, eventually, for the bowl alone?
The 403 is in generally good shape and driveable, but Mr Bedosti and Mimmo are working on her to improve on the general condition of the original paint. The windscreen rubbers need replacing
When you look closely at a
403, you appreciate lots of splendid detailing. The 'Aerodynes' are
smooth, superbly conceived, built to an equisite standard and every
part on them is clearly the product of a 'different' school of design,
one that comes directly from aeroplane projects.
This is not just
another obvious, abused convention about 2-litre Bristols, you really
understand this design quality when you look at the detail work on these
cars. No external handles, flush door buttons, very small roof gutters,
bumpers and lights nicely integrated in the overall shape make the 403 a
true aero icon.
This design integrity can be understood only by a
handful of well-trained connoisseurs, and this probably explains why the
classic-cars brigade (more like an Armada nowadays) doesn't yet
understand the subtle elegance of design of these 2-litre wonders
