Bristol 410

Bristol 410
Overview
ManufacturerBristol Cars
Production1968–1969
82 produced
Body and chassis
ClassSport saloon
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine5,211 cm3 (318 cu in) Chrysler A V8
Chronology
PredecessorBristol 409
SuccessorBristol 411

The Bristol 410 was the fourth series of Chrysler V8-engined models from British manufacturer Bristol Cars. It was the last Bristol to use the 5.2-litre (318 cubic-inch) engine originally found in the Bristol 407.

With the 410, Bristol aimed for a more aerodynamic approach than that found on their previous five series dating back to the 405. The styling improvements were relatively minor but every one of them was aimed to make for a more curved appearance. The most noteworthy change was that the front headlamps were fully faired into the wings of the car rather than protruding outwards as on previous models.[1]

As in every Bristol saloon since the 404, a compartment accessed via a hinged panel between the front of the driver's door and the rear of the front wheel arch housed the battery, fuse panel, windscreen wiper motor and brake servos.[2] A similar panel on the other side of the car housed the spare wheel and jack.[2]

There were also 15 inch wheels as against the 16 inch size found on previous Bristols, and the disc braking system dating back to the 406 was revised for the first time since then, with a greatly updated system of braking circuits being introduced.

Internally, Bristol, like Chrysler before them, by then had felt that the safety problems of push-button automatic transmission were too difficult to counter and thus they shifted to a more conventional lever mounted between the two front seats.[3]

  1. ^ "Bristol V8 Spotters' Guide". Bristol Owners Club. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b "News and Views: Bristol 410 impressions". Autocar. 127 (nbr 3742): 60. 2 November 1967.
  3. ^ Gunnell, John (2004). Standard Guide to British Sports Cars. Krause. pp. 58–59. ISBN 9780873497572. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2015.