403-1404, 2017:
Some new pictures
Now that the 403 is running fairly well, I can plan her ASI/FIVA homologation; I also took some pictures of the more interesting details of 403-1404.....
GRRC Members' 2017 badge is purple
A fabulous dashboard
As you already know if you followed my blogs, in the past I experienced some serious trouble during the restoration of '403-1404'. At one moment (or two) I seriously thought of selling her, as I couldn't bear the idea of going after the many problems that appeared day after day, every time I took her out. But every time I sat in the 403, being very angry and resolute to sell her, and looked at this dashboard, I instantly changed my mind....you can't sell a car that offers you this view. That's class
Engine number plate. '1404' has a correct '100A' engine, but it was swapped early in her life. The original one was no. 3092; in 1953 they fitted, for unfathomable reasons, no. 3185
Original plaques are always fascinating. If anyone not familiar with Bristols asks himself what the metal cylinder with the rubber button actually does, well, it's for starting the engine standing out of the cabin. One of the quirky details of this Bristol (and of very few other British cars of that era)
It is interesting to see that Anthony 'Tony' Crook not only bolted a personal plaque to the bulkhead (above) and to the passenger's side sill (below) when he sold a second-hand Bristol ('403-1404' was sold new by University Motors in London) but quoted his own reference number for this car. That's a professional
The chassis number plate in 2012, before restoration
The polished chassis number plate today, in its original position near the oil filter. Please note the correct 'Vokes' label on the filter, courtesy of Peter McGough
Underside pics. No rust, just a little bit oily
The rebuilt alternator in its place
A nice old-style fuel filter is a reassuring thing
'100A-3185', LH side
'100A-3185', RH side
The Bristol key fob sold by BCL is very nice
May 2017: preparing for Villa d'Este
New windscreen wiper arms will be needed....
Looking around to see the origins of some little noises, Mimmo dismantled the wiper motor and found that the grease inside was very old (no surprise here...) and scarce too, so he cleaned everything, packed it with new grease and refitted it
Solex BI32 carb choke. Its control is quite hard and not progressive, we will have to find the way to make it better
The starting handle, repainted, in its clips inside the engine bay
The battery now has a proper leather cover
A 'vintage-style' battery will replace the modern one for a more proper look. It is custom made by Nettuno Accumulatori in Bologna
New, better shaped custom carpets. Still not what I want
Nettuno Accumulatori built a special vintage-looking battery with modern innards to fit exactly the ample battery space of the 403. It looks fine
